The WiAHC Government Affairs Team recently presented Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) and Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) with the organization’s 2022 Champion of Home Health Care legislative award for their leadership on policies to advance home health care in Wisconsin and improve the delivery of patient care provided by home health professionals.
“Both Sen. Felzkowski and Sen. Ballweg were fierce advocates for home health care during the 2021-22 legislative session, and their work was critical in efforts to strengthen the home health care workforce and increase patient access to skilled nursing provided in the comfort of their own homes,” said Jayne Thill, Chair of the WiAHC Board of Directors. “They both clearly understand the value of home health care for Wisconsin patients, and we are excited to thank them for their work on behalf of our members and the patients we serve every day.”
The Champion of Home Health Care award is presented at the end of each two-year legislative session to state lawmakers who exemplify WiAHC’s mission of promoting, protecting, and advancing the highest quality health care at home for Wisconsin patients. In 2022, WiAHC is presenting the award to only four legislators, including Felzkowski and Ballweg. These lawmakers exhibited an exceptional commitment to supporting home health care based on several factors, including voting record, sponsorship of legislation and responsiveness to critical home health issues during the 2021-22 session.
Ballweg and Felzkowsi earned the Champion of Home Health Care designation for their leadership on a successful legislative effort to increase the Medicaid reimbursement rate for skilled nursing provided in a home health setting, as well as their work on a bill to improve regulation of the home health care industry.
Ballweg, who was first elected to the Wisconsin Senate in 2020 after serving eight terms in the Assembly, represents the 14th Senate District, which includes numerous counties in central Wisconsin, stretching from Columbia County up to Waupaca County in the northern most part of the district. She is a member of the Legislature’s powerful Joint Finance Committee.
Felzkowski was first elected to the Wisconsin Senate in 2019, after serving four terms in the Assembly, and represents the 12th Senate District, which covers the northeast portion of the state. She also serves on the Joint Finance Committee.
Under WiAHC’s legislative awards program, state and/or federal legislators who demonstrate support for policies that advance home health care in Wisconsin and are aligned with WiAHC’s mission are eligible to receive one of WiAHC’s legislative awards: 1) Champion of Home Health Care or 2)Friend of Home Health Care. These awards are given out every two years, following the end of each legislative session.
Lawmakers who display exceptional support of WiAHC and home health care in Wisconsin are eligible for recognition as a Champion of Home Health Care. Lawmakers who display general support of WiAHC and home health care in Wisconsin are eligible for recognition as a Friend of Home Health Care.
The following state legislators were recognized as Champions of Home Health Care:
WiAHC has recognized the following state lawmakers as Friends of Home Health Care:
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