On March 17, 2026, the Wisconsin State Senate completed its final session day for the 2025-2026 regular legislative session, and the State Assembly held its final session day on February 20. While the legislature has concluded their scheduled session, there remains the possibility that the Assembly and Senate could reconvene for a special session (called by the Governor) or an extraordinary session (called by the Legislature itself) to address a major topic (e.g., a tax cut and/or school spending plan in response to the $2.5 billion state surplus).

Following the end of the 2025-2026 legislative session, Governor Tony Evers (D) has taken action on the following bills:

Senate Bill 214 (registration of out-of-state health care providers to provide telehealth services)

• Under the bill, the provider would need to register with the state Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) or the relevant occupational credentialing board to provide telehealth services to patients in Wisconsin.
• This legislation passed on party-line votes in both the Assembly and Senate.
• Governor Evers vetoed this bill on March 20, 2026.
• WiAHC registered in support of this bill.

Senate Bill 264 (Requires health insurers to cover diagnostic breast exams and  screening exams for those  at increased risk of breast cancer)

• This bill also requires such screenings to be covered by Medicaid.
• SB264 passed the Assembly on February 19 by a vote of 96-0. It passed the Senate on October 14, 2025, by a vote of 32-1.
• Governor Evers signed this bill on March 19.
• WiAHC did not take a formal position on this bill.

Senate Bill 822 (Allows discounts for the prompt payment of health care fees)

• Under prior state law, a clinician is not allowed to reduce (or offer to reduce) a patient’s coinsurance or deductible unless paying the amount would be an undue financial hardship for the patient.
• This bill clarifies that discounts for prompt patient payment do not violate existing prohibitions in state law. It also clarifies that clinicians may (but are not required to) offer a discount to patients for prompt payment. Discounts are limited to 15% of the bill (and are reasonably related to the avoided amount of collection costs).
• The bill also includes the following requirements related to allowing such a payment discount:
• The discount must be offered uniformly for prompt payment, without regard to the insurer or the patient's reason for seeking care.
• The clinician must notify insurers by posting the most up-to-date discount policy on their website (public advertising of the discount is prohibited unless otherwise required by law).
• The discount cannot be provided before the service is scheduled or outside the clinician’s ordinary course of dealing with patients (e.g., at registration, billing, or payment).
• Clinicians cannot shift the cost of the discount to other payers or include it in third-party payer contracts (except as allowed by state or federal law).
•  This bill passed the Assembly on February 19  by voice vote. It passed the Senate on February 11.
• Governor Evers signed this bill on April 2.
• WiAHC did not take a formal position on this bill.

Senate Bill 832 (Allowing any pharmacy to be operated as a remotely supervised pharmacy, if the pharmacist complies with the Pharmacy Examining Board’s rules)

• Under prior state law, pharmacies at certain locations (e.g., health care facilities, clinicians’ offices, and correctional facilities) may be operated as remote dispensing sites that are supervised remotely by pharmacists.
• This bill passed the Assembly on February 19 by voice vote. It passed the Senate on February 11.
• Governor Evers signed this bill on April 2.
• WiAHC did not take a formal position on this legislation.

On March 24, 2026, Marquette University Law School Poll released its most recent poll, which surveyed 850 registered Wisconsin voters between March 11-18, 2026. The margin of error is +/-4.4 percentage points. Marquette’s most recent prior Wisconsin state-specific poll was released in February 2026. This new poll covers political approval ratings, 2026 candidates, as well as various policy areas.

The following March 2026 poll findings may be of interest:

Elected Officials

President Trump (R) Job Approval

• 42% approve
• 56% disapprove

Governor Tony Evers (D) Job Approval

• 47% approve
• 47% disapprove
• 6% don’t know

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R) Favorability

• 36% have a favorable opinion of U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R)
• 44% have an unfavorable opinion of him
• 20% haven’t heard enough

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D) Favorability

• 43% have a favorable opinion of U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D)
• 47% have an unfavorable opinion of her
• 10% haven’t heard enough

Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidates – 2026 August Primary Election

The following are the polling results of Wisconsin Republican primary voters when asked for whom they would vote:

• Congressman Tom Tiffany:                                                        40%      
• Medical Service Technician Andy Manske:                            6%
• Undecided                                                                                     54%

The following are the polling results of Wisconsin Democratic primary voters when asked for whom they would vote:

•  State Rep. Francesca Hong (Madison):                                                                 14%
• Former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes:                                                 11%
•  Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez:                                                                   3%
• Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley:                                                    3%
• Former Non-Profit Executive Joel Brennan:                                                    2%
• Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Missy Hughes:        1%
• State Sen. Kelda Roys (Madison):                                                                           1%
• Former State Rep. Brett Hulsey (Madison Suburbs):                                         0%
• Carthage College Student Zachary Roper                                                            0%
• Undecided                                                                                                                 65%

General Issues

The most important issue among registered voters:

• Inflation and the cost of living:                                  35%
• Illegal immigration and border security:                 14%
• Health insurance:                                                          11%
• Jobs and the economy:                                               9%
• Property taxes:                                                              7%
• Affordability of housing:                                                            6%
• Abortion policy:                                                             5%
• Public schools:                                                               5%
• Gun violence:                                                                 5%
• Crime in your community:                                          2%

[NOTE: Candidates referenced in the following political update were selected to reflect information of general interest to WiAHC members. The inclusion of any particular item does not in any way reflect the views of WiAHC, Hoven Consulting, Badger Bay Management Company or its employees or representatives.]

State Supreme Court

Madison-Based State Appeals Court Judge and former Democratic State Representative Chris Taylor prevailed decisively over Waukesha-Based State Appeals Court Judge Maria Lazar in the spring election held on April 7. With 99% of the votes counted, the results for this technically non-partisan race are as follows:

• Chris Taylor:                      60.1%
• Maria Lazar:                      39.8%

Key Points in this Race

• In winning the race with 60.1% of the vote, Taylor received the second highest vote percentage for a State Supreme Court race since 2000, when conservative Diane Sykes won 65.5% of the vote.
• Taylor’s win will expand the liberal majority on the court from 4-3 to 5-2. Taylor will begin her term on the court on August 1, 2026, and will serve a 10-year term. 

• Once Taylor begins her term on the court, liberal justices will have the majority on the court until at least 2030. Their 5-2 margin could be expanded to 6-1 in the 2027 spring election if a liberal candidate wins the race to succeed conservative Justice Annette Ziegler. Ziegler announced prior to the April 7 election that she would not run for re-election in 2027.

• As the ideological control of the state Supreme Court was not at stake in this election, campaign spending was significantly less than in the spring 2025 State Supreme Court race, when ideological control was at stake. In that 2025 race, $115 million was spent on the State Supreme Court campaign. In this year’s race, it is estimated that $8-9 million was spent, the vast majority of which was spent by Taylor and allied organizations.
• With Taylor winning with such a significant margin, this is likely a warning sign for Republicans in November.

State Senate

As of April 15, 2026, the following state Senators have announced that they are not running for re-election this year:

• Sen. Jesse James (R-Thorp)
• Sen. Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield)
• Sen. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater)
• Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg)
• NOTE: He currently serves as the Senate Majority Leader.
• Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine)

State Assembly

As of April 15, 2026, the following state Representatives have announced that they are not running for re-election this year:

•  Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester)
• NOTE: He currently serves as Assembly Speaker.
• Rep. Rob Brooks (R-Saukville)
• Rep. Jerry O’Connor (R-Fond du Lac)
• Rep. Dave Murphy (R-Hortonville)
• Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca)
• NOTE: He currently serves as Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore.
• Rep. Rick Gundrum (R-Slinger)
• Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha)
• Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa)
• She is running for the state Senate district currently represented by Sen. Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield).
• Rep. Jenna Jacobson (D-Oregon)
• She is running for the state Senate district currently represented by Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green).
• Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison)
• She is currently running for Governor.

For the last several years, WiAHC has been advocating to eliminate this outdated requirement in state regulations that require home health agencies to create professional advisory bodies and hold annual meetings. WiAHC has been advocating for this change since professional advisory committees were removed from federal regulations in 2017, as home health agencies are already overseen by a governing body pursuant to federal regulations.  In addition, home health agencies are also overseen by governing bodies in Wisconsin regulations.  In 2017, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also put in place federal regulations requiring home health agencies to implement ongoing quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) programs.  Essentially, CMS replaced professional advisory committees in federal regulations with the creation of the QAPI program.

In January 2023, WiAHC formally requested that DHS eliminate professional advisory bodies for home health care agencies in the agency’s biennial rules review – a process by which DHS makes technical changes and updates to existing state regulations. DHS agreed to include this change in their 2023 biennial rules review. Subsequently, WiAHC submitted written and verbal testimony to DHS in 2025 supporting the elimination of professional advisory bodies.

According to the state Administrative Code, which includes all Wisconsin state regulations, the state Department of Health Services (DHS) 2023 biennial rules review that eliminates home health agency professional advisory bodies from state regulations took effect on March 1, 2026. Therefore, as is reflected in the state Administrative Code, there is no longer a requirement for home health agencies in Wisconsin to put in place professional advisory bodies and hold annual meetings. Thanks to the advocacy of WiAHC members, WiAHC was successful in advocating to eliminate this duplicative and burdensome requirement in state regulations! However, WiAHC members may want to consider seeking independent legal counsel when implementing this change.

On Friday, February 20, the Wisconsin State Assembly concluded its work for the 2025-2026 regular legislative session and the state Senate is expected to conclude their final action on March 17.

As this is written, the Legislature proved the following bills of interest to WiAHC:

Medicaid Postpartum Legislation

• On March 18, Governor Evers signed Senate Bill 23, which extends Medicaid post-partum coverage to mothers to one year after the birth of a child.
• Under current state law, Medicaid coverage for low-income mothers lasts for the first 60 days after the birth of a child.
• This bill requires the state Department of Health Services to request approval from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to extend such coverage to one year after the birth of a child.
• SB23 passed the Assembly on February 19 by a vote of 95-1. It passed the Senate on April 22, 2025, by a vote of 32-1.

Senate Bill 264 (Requires health insurers to cover diagnostic breast exams and supplemental breast screening exams for those who are at increased risk of breast cancer or have heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue) passed the legislature.

• This bill also requires such screenings to be covered by Medicaid.
• SB264 passed the Assembly on February 19 by a vote of 96-0. It passed the Senate on October 14, 2025, by a vote of 32-1. It will subsequently go to the Governor for his consideration.

Senate Bill 822 (Allows discounts for the prompt payment of health care fees) passed the legislature.

• Under current state law, a clinician is not allowed to reduce (or offer to reduce) a patient’s coinsurance or deductible unless paying the amount would be an undue financial hardship for the patient.
• This bill clarifies that discounts for prompt patient payment do not violate existing prohibitions in state law. It also clarifies that clinicians may (but are not required to) offer a discount to patients for prompt payment. Discounts are limited to 15% of the bill (and are reasonably related to the avoided amount of collection costs).
• The bill also includes the following requirements related to allowing such a payment discount:
• The discount must be offered uniformly for prompt payment, without regard to the insurer or the patient's reason for seeking care.
• The clinician must notify insurers by posting the most up-to-date discount policy on their website (public advertising of the discount is prohibited unless otherwise required by law).
• The discount cannot be provided before the service is scheduled or outside the clinician’s ordinary course of dealing with patients (e.g., at registration, billing, or payment).
• Clinicians cannot shift the cost of the discount to other payers or include it in third-party payer contracts (except as allowed by state or federal law).
• This bill passed the Assembly on February 19 by voice vote. It passed the Senate on February 11. It will now go to the Governor for his consideration.

Once the state Senate has adjourned for the 2025-2026 regular legislative session, we will provide you with an appropriate update.

[NOTE: Individuals and topics referenced in the following poll summary were selected to reflect information of general interest to WiAHC members. The inclusion of any particular item does not in any way reflect the views of WiAHC, Hoven Consulting, Badger Bay Management Company or its employees or representatives.]

On February 25, 2026, Marquette University Law School Poll released its most recent poll, which surveyed 818 registered Wisconsin voters between February 11-19, 2026. The margin of error is +/-4.3 percentage points. This poll is the first Wisconsin state-specific Marquette poll since October 2025. This new poll covers political approval ratings, 2026 candidates, as well as various policy areas.

The following February 2026 poll findings may be of interest:

Elected Officials

President Trump Job Approval

• 44% approve of the job President Trump (R) is doing.
• 54% disapprove.
• 2% don’t know.

Governor Tony Evers Job Approval

• 49% approve of the job Governor Tony Evers (D) is doing.
• 45% disapprove.
• 6% don’t know.

Wisconsin Legislature Job Approval

• 41% approve of the state legislature’s job performance.
• 44% disapprove.
• 15% don’t know.

Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidates – 2026 August Primary Election

The following are the polling results of Wisconsin Republican primary voters when asked for whom they would vote:

• Congressman Tom Tiffany:                                                      35%      
• Medical Service Technician Andy Manske:                            2%

NOTE: 63 percent of Republican primary voters indicated that they have not made up their minds on a preferred candidate for governor.

The following are the polling results of Wisconsin Democratic primary voters when asked for whom they would vote:

• State Rep. Francesca Hong (Madison):                                                                 11%
•  Former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes:                                                 10%
• Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez:                                                                   6%
• Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley:                                                    3%
• Former Non-Profit Executive Joel Brennan:                                                        2%
• Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Missy Hughes:        2%
• State Sen. Kelda Roys (Madison):                                                                           1%
• Former State Rep. Brett Hulsey (Madison Suburbs):                                         1%

NOTE: 65 percent of Democratic primary voters indicated that they have not made up their minds on a preferred candidate for governor.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidates – 2026 Spring Election

The following are the polling results of Wisconsin registered voters when asked for whom they would vote in the April State Supreme Court election:

• Waukesha-Based State Appeals Court Judge Maria Lazar (Conservative Candidate):                12%
• Madison-Based State Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor (Liberal Candidate):                          17%

NOTE: 66% of Wisconsin registered voters indicated that they have not made up their minds on a preferred candidate for the state Supreme Court.

General Issues

The most important issue among registered voters:

• Inflation and the cost of living:                  34%
• Health insurance:                                         14%
• Illegal immigration and border security:  13%
• Taxes:                                                               9%
• Jobs and the economy:                                9%
• Affordability of housing:                               7%
• Gun violence:                                                  5%
• Abortion policy:                                              5%
• Public schools:                                                4%
• Crime in your community:                           1%

[NOTE: Candidates referenced in the following political update were selected to reflect information of general interest to WiAHC members. The inclusion of any particular item does not in any way reflect the views of WiAHC, Hoven Consulting, Badger Bay Management Company or its employees or representatives.]

On February 19, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Western Racine County) announced that he will not run for re-election this year. He is the longest-serving Assembly Speaker in Wisconsin history, serving in that role since 2013. He was first elected to the Assembly in 2004. Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva Area) is widely expected to be the next Assembly Speaker, if the GOP maintains control of that chamber.

In mid-March, state Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) has indicated that he will not run for re-election this year. He was first elected in 2010, lost a recall election in 2012, was elected again in 2014, and has been re-elected since. The boundaries of his state Senate district have changed significantly during redistricting that took place in 2024. This district is now a “swing” district and is considered to be one of the state Senate districts that Democrats have targeted in this year’s elections. As this is written, the only declared candidate is Democrat Trevor Jung, who is a former City of Racine Alder and is the current Director of Transit and Mobility for the city.

Over the last month, several Democrats have announced their respective candidacies against several incumbent Democratic members of the state Assembly from Milwaukee:

·        Most recently, Milwaukee Public School Board Member Mimi Reza announced that she will run against Rep. Priscilla Prado (D-Milwaukee South Side) in the Democratic primary in August. No Republicans have announced runs for this Assembly seat.

·        Earlier in March, former Madison Alder and Milwaukee small business owner Bridget Maniaci announced she will run against Rep. Ryan Clancy (D-Milwaukee East Side & Bay View Neighborhoods) in the Democratic primary. No Republicans have announced runs for this Assembly seat.

·        Several weeks ago, non-profit employee and community activist Ismael Luna announced that he will run against Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milwaukee South Side) in the Democratic primary. No Republicans have announced runs for this Assembly seat.

On March 9, State Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler, a conservative, announced that she will not run for a third 10-year term in 2027. She first won election to the state Supreme Court in 2007 and previously served as a Washington County judge, a prosecutor and an attorney in private practice. As this is written, no individuals have announced that they will run for this position. However, such announcements could occur after this year’s spring election on April 7.

On January 22, the Senate Committee on Insurance voted unanimously to advance Senate Bill 373, which places limits on insurance companies requiring prior authorization for certain services. Specifically, the bill allows 12 patient visits for physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and chiropractic services – without requiring prior authorization. In addition, it limits the timeframe for subsequent insurance reauthorization to three business days.

As home health agencies provide physical, occupational, and speech therapy to patients, this bill would have a positive impact on agencies and their patients, if it is enacted. During this committee’s hearing on this legislation last October, WiAHC submitted testimony noting our organization’s appreciation for this legislation. However, the testimony also requested that the legislation’s authors add home-based skilled nursing care to this legislation. In addition, WiAHC’s Madison lobbyists advocated for this addition to the bill. Unfortunately, however, the bill’s authors declined to amend their legislation to make this inclusion.

On February 12, the state Assembly unanimously passed Assembly Bill 910, which would put in place a process for each state government agency to review the fees and fines under their respective purview and recommend any updates to the Legislature. Numerous such fees and fines have not been updated in 20, 30, or 40 or more years. It’s also worth noting that fees addressed by this bill include occupational credentialing fees, which are mostly assessed by the state Department of Safety and Professional Services.

In particular, the bill would require each state government agency to undertake a fee and fine review every six years. As a result of this review, each agency would make recommendations to the Legislature to consider updating fees and fines to take into account inflation. However, under the bill, an agency is allowed to recommend no changes to a particular fee or fine. If an agency does recommend an increase to a particular fee or fine, they may recommend implementing it over four years to minimize impact on affected parties.

This bill will now be sent to the state Senate for its consideration.

In late January, the Legislature’s budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance released funding to the state Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) intended to improve occupational credential processing efficiencies. In particular, the committee released $1.8 million to DSPS to update customer call center software, implement a 24-hour “AI-agent chat” pilot program intended to answer most “how to” questions, and add six contract staff members to implement these upgrades and to provide customer assistance.