In October, WiAHC unveiled a list of state legislators selected as “Champions of Home Health Care” and “Friends of Home Health Care” for the 2025-2026 state legislative session.  At the completion of each two-year legislative session, WiAHC identifies an exclusive group of lawmakers for their exceptional work to promote the expanded utilization of skilled home health care as an effective, affordable option for post-acute medical care.

For the 2025-2026 legislative session, both state Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Fox Crossing) and state Representative Clint Moses (R-Menomonie) were selected as “Champions of Home Health Care” as they formally requested the Legislature’s budget-writing Joint Finance Committee to include in the FY2025-2027 state budget an increase of the home health skilled nursing Medicaid reimbursement rate increase from $96.96 per home visit to approximately $117.86 per home visit, which is 70 percent of the Medicare home health reimbursement rate. As WiAHC members will recall, this funding was included in the final version of the FY2025-2027 budget, which was signed into law. WiAHC representatives presented both Sen. Cabral-Guevara and Rep. Moses with award plaques. Photos of both presentations are below.

In addition, Governor Tony Evers (D) and state Senator Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) both received the “Friend of Home Health Care” designation for their respective roles in supporting this home health skilled nursing Medicaid reimbursement rate increase. As a member of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, Senator Testin ensured that this rate increase was included in the final version of the FY2025-2027 state budget and Governor Evers signed the budget into law.


WiAHC Representative Meghan Leahy (right) presenting the Champion of Home Health Award to State Sen. Cabral-Guevara (left)


WiAHC Board Chair Christa Walz (left) presenting the Champion of Home Health award to Rep. Moses (right)

On September 30, 2026, Marquette University Law School Poll released its most recent poll, which surveyed 843 Wisconsin registered voters between September 16-23, 2026. This new poll covers the 2026 general election, including the gubernatorial race, as well as various policy areas.

The margin of error for registered voters polled was +/-4.3%. The sample size of likely voters was 692, and the margin of error was +/-4.8%.

The following September 2026 poll findings may be of interest:

Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidates – 2026 November General Election
Here is how Wisconsin likely voters said they would vote in the November general election:

• Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (D)         49%
• Congressman Tom Tiffany (R)                                        46%       
• Undecided                                                                         5%

State Legislature – Generic VoteWhen asked generically about voting for state legislative candidates in the November general election, Wisconsin likely voters responded that they would vote in the following manner:

• Democratic State Legislative Candidate                      48%
• Republican State Legislative Candidate                       45%
• Undecided                                                                         7%

General Issues
The most important issue among registered voters:

• Inflation and the cost of living                                      45%
• Illegal immigration and border security                      11%
• Health insurance                                                             9%
• Jobs and the economy                                                    9%
• Property taxes                                                                  7%
• Data centers                                                                     5%
• Abortion policy                                                                 5%
• Affordability of housing                                                  4%
• Public schools                                                                   4%
• Crime in your community:                                              2%

State and Local Policy (Among Registered Voters)

Public Schools

• More important to hold down property taxes vs. public school funding is more important                 54%
• Public school funding is more important vs. more important to hold down property taxes                    45%

State Budget Surplus

• Return the entire state budget surplus to taxpayers        48%
• Use the surplus to pay for state and local services            52%

Data Centers/Artificial Intelligence

• How much have voters read or heard about data center construction:
    o   A lot                                        36%
  o   A little                                     56%
  o   Nothing at all:                        7%

• Costs of data centers outweigh the benefits 74%
• Benefits of data centers outweigh the costs 25%

• Favor at least a one-year ban on data center construction 68%
• Oppose at least a one-year ban on data center construction 32%

• Is the development of artificial intelligence good or bad for society?
  o   A bad thing:                        65%
  o   A good thing:                      34%

October 1 Meeting Summary (from the Wheeler Report)

Regarding consumer-facing chatbots, members leaned toward requiring upfront disclosure rather than regulating how chatbots behave. They still asked staff to include draft [legislative] options for suicide and self-harm protocols and for extra safeguards when a chatbot interacts with a minor, so those can be debated and possibly cut later. The committee chose not to require healthcare practitioners to disclose when they use AI tools. Members said AI is already embedded throughout clinical work, citing radiology as an example, and that disclosure rules would become a "slippery slope." This was consistent with the Medical Examining Board's position that the practitioner is responsible for the record. That also produced a discussion over ambient-listening scribes that delete their audio recordings, and whether patients lose evidence they could use in a malpractice dispute. Members likewise declined to mandate AI continuing education or to legislate governance standards for organizations that deploy AI. With regard to governance, several members said smaller and rural providers need resources such as grants and data-science support more than they need new requirements.

On health insurance and prior authorization, there was broad support for requiring meaningful human review before a coverage or prior authorization request is denied, along with reporting on outcomes so the requirement can be enforced. Another topic was a state AI "regulatory sandbox," which members suggested renaming a "laboratory." It would grant AI developers temporary, supervised relief from state rules, mainly licensing rules, so they could test products in Wisconsin and report the results back to the state. Members discussed which agency would run it, how much it would cost, whether there is real demand, how patients would be protected, and how it could connect to a multi-state effort.

In mid-October, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that they are seeking members for four state Medicaid-focused boards, committees and councils. According to an email from DHS, the agency is seeking the following:

• People focused on Medicaid, including:
• • A current Medicaid member or their caregiver living in the Western region of the state
  • A long-term care direct care worker (staff who provide services to Medicaid members in long term care settings, like a home, nursing home, or assisted living facility)
  • A community outreach expert (a trusted advisor to Medicaid members who makes connections, shares resources, ensures quality services, or helps members overcome barriers)

• People focused on the IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) Program, including 3-4 current IRIS participants or their supported or legal decision makers

• People focused on long-term care, including:
• • Three (3) self-advocates who receive long-term care services
  • A long-term care expert
  • Two (2) long-term care providers

For more information and to apply, please visit the DHS Medicaid Boards, Committees, and Councils page. Please note that the deadline is November 6!

With less than 50 days until the November general election, Marquette University Law School Poll released its most recent poll on August 26, which surveyed 891 Wisconsin registered voters between August 12-20, 2026. The margin of error for registered voters polled was +/-4.0%. This is Marquette’s first poll following the August 11 primary election. This new poll covers the 2026 general election, including the gubernatorial race, as well as various policy areas.

The following August 2026 poll findings may be of interest:

Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidates – 2026 November General Election

Here is how Wisconsin likely voters said they would vote in the November general election:

• Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (D)                 49%
• Congressman Tom Tiffany (R)                                                   44%      
• Undecided                                                                                      7%

General Issues

The most important issue among registered voters:

• Inflation and the cost of living                                   43%
• Illegal immigration and border security                  12%
• Health insurance                                                           10%
• Jobs and the economy                                                 7%
• Property taxes                                                               6%
• Affordability of housing                                               6%
• Data centers                                                                   5%
• Abortion policy                                                              4%
• Public schools                                                                3%
• Crime in your community:                                          1%

The following are brief summaries of this Study Committee’s first three meetings:

August 13 Meeting Summary (from the Wheeler Report)

The 2026 Legislative Council Study Committee on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care met [on August 13] to examine how AI is being deployed across health systems, insurance, Medicaid/Medicare, and mental health, and what role Wisconsin law should play. National policy experts and state-level advocates described a fast-moving, fragmented landscape: some states are restricting AI from being the sole basis for adverse coverage decisions, others are piloting AI “sandboxes” to test tools under regulator oversight, and many are experimenting with disclosure, consent, and governance rules. A recurring theme was how to balance innovation, cost-savings, and access with patient safety, privacy, and public trust, especially in areas like prior authorization, chatbots, and behavioral health.

September 9 Meeting Summary (from the Wheeler Report)

[The September 9] hearing focused on consumer health data, patient privacy, AI-assisted clinical practice, medical board authority, electronic health record tools, health-system implementation, rural and safety-net considerations, and the need for practical guardrails. It was emphasized that AI is already present in healthcare workflows, from administrative support and appointment scheduling to clinical documentation, care-gap identification, imaging, and decision-support tools. Presenters urged the committee to consider identifying lower-risk uses that support clinicians from higher-risk applications that communicate directly with patients, make autonomous recommendations, or could be perceived as replacing licensed healthcare professionals.

• The Future of Privacy Forum provided an overview of the fragmented federal privacy landscape and the rapid growth of state comprehensive privacy laws.

• The Federation of State Medical Boards discussed how AI tools are being used by both patients and clinicians, including AI-powered symptom tools, ambient scribes, clinical decision-support platforms, and pilots involving automated prescription renewal.

• Dr. Richard Bruce of the University of Wisconsin–Madison described radiology as one of the earliest and most active areas of AI adoption in medicine.

• UnityPoint Health–Meriter outlined practical considerations for healthcare organizations implementing AI, including cost, return on investment, staffing, vendor roadmaps, privacy, data retention, patient consent, environmental impact, quality of care, and the need for research.

• Marshfield Clinic described AI use from the perspective of a rural health-system deployer. They discussed generative AI tools for staff, ambient listening, care-gap closure, and inbox management.

• Outreach Community Health Centers discussed federally qualified health centers serving low-income, uninsured, Medicaid, unhoused, and medically vulnerable patients.

• Epic described its approach to AI development, emphasizing collaboration with users, validation, monitoring, and deployment.

September 10 Meeting Summary (from the Wheeler Report)

The Study Committee on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care held their third hearing [on September 10]. Dr. Sean Griffin highlighted the importance of independent accreditation, noting 600 best practices and the need for transparency and accountability. He stressed the potential risks, including data bias and ethical considerations. Ann Trinkler from Delta Dental Wisconsin detailed their use of AI in claims utilization management, ensuring human oversight. Ryan Peterson from the Alliance Cooperative underscored the unique challenges and benefits of self-funded healthcare plans, advocating for flexible, outcomes-based regulation to support AI's responsible integration. Lakeland Care, a nonprofit managing Medicaid services, emphasized AI's role in reducing repetitive tasks and improving operational decisions.

In August, the Universities of Wisconsin (UW) announced that their consolidated FY2027-2029 budget request will include funding to work towards the goal of training 35,000 new health care clinicians over the next decade. This is known as the “Healthy Wisconsin” initiative, which comprises a $90 million budget request to train health care clinicians throughout the UW’s 13 campuses across the state. This budget request has been submitted to the Office of the Governor to be considered to be part of the FY2027-2029 consolidated state government budget request that the Governor will submit to the Legislature in early 2027.

In August, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that they are seeking responses from Wisconsinites on how best to spend its share of opioid settlement funds. The State of Wisconsin expects to receive more than $874 million between 2022 and 2038 due to a multi-state lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies. Interested Wisconsinites may fill out the DHS online survey, which will be available through September 30, 2026.

On Tuesday, August 11, the Partisan Primary Election took place in Wisconsin. Statewide turnout was approximately 26% to 29% of the voting age population. That is slightly higher than turnouts in primary elections in 2024, which was 26%, and in 2022, which was between 25.5% and 25.8%.

Hoven Consulting has drafted this memo to provide you with results for state legislative and federal races of interest. As the campaign season progresses, we will provide you with a post-general election report on various races, including those at the federal level, as well as polling data.

Bearing in mind the divisive political environment nationwide, as well as the state legislative redistricting that took place in recent years, the election cycle could result in the most significant changes since the 2010 election. At this time, control of Wisconsin state government is divided. Incumbent Governor Tony Evers (D) has been in office for eight years – two terms – and has decided not to run for re-election. Republicans currently control both chambers of the state legislature. In the Senate, there are 18 Republicans and 15 Democrats. In the Assembly, there are 54 Republicans and 45 Democrats. As State Senate terms are four years, 17 of the 33 State Senate seats are on the ballot in 2026. All 99 State Assembly seats will be on the ballot this year, as those legislators serve two-year terms. If the Legislature were to flip to Democratic control, Democrats would need to win two new seats in the Senate and win five new Assembly seats.  The conventional wisdom is that there is a significant chance for the Democrats to win a majority in the State Senate. Political observers generally feel that it is possible for the Democrats to win control of the Assembly, also, but it is less likely than in the Senate. 

State Government Elections

Gubernatorial Race – Democratic Primary

The 2026 Democratic gubernatorial primary has likely been the most volatile Wisconsin primary election in recent memory. Initially, there were seven major candidates – State Rep. Francesca Hong of Madison, Lieutenant  Governor Sara Rodriguez, former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former Evers Administration official Joel Brennan, State Senator Kelda Roys of Madison, and former  Evers Administration official Missy Hughes. However, as of the day of the primary election, only four candidates – Hong, Crowley, Brennan, and Roys – remained in the race. Hughes and Crowley were the first two candidates to  drop out of the race. Amidst a campaign finance scandal, Rodriguez ended her candidacy. At the time, Rodriguez  was attempting to coalesce support as the mainstream Democratic alternative to Hong, who was the leading  candidate at the time in the polls. In an attempt to be the new mainstream Democratic alternative to Hong, Crowley re-entered the race, with Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ endorsement. Following that endorsement, Barnes dropped out of the race amidst media reports about his personal conduct.

In a stunning upset victory, as noted below, Crowley beat Hong by less than one percentage point on primary election day. According to Wisconsin election law, a recount is not automatic. A losing candidate would need to formally request a recount – and in this case, since the margin of victory is greater than 0.25% - pay for it. However, that point is now moot since media reports indicate that Hong has conceded to Crowley. The winner is marked in bold font.

Democratic Primary Results

• Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley                      39.8%
• State Rep. Francesca Hong (Madison)                                    39.3%
• State Sen. Kelda Roys (Madison)                                              7.5%
• Former Evers Administration Official Joel Brennan             4.7%
• Former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes*                  4.1%
• Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez*                                    4.1%
• Former Evers Administration Official Missy Hughes*         0.4%

*While these candidates dropped out prior to primary election day, they remained on the ballot.

Gubernatorial Race - Republican Primary

In contrast to the Democratic primary, the race for the Republican primary was quite uneventful. Much earlier in the race, Milwaukee-area businessman Bill Berrien and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann had filed to run for the Republican nomination. However, both of them ended their respective candidacies months ago. Congressman Tiffany ultimately received the coveted endorsement from President Trump, effectively making him the leading candidate for the Republican nomination. Andy Manske is generally viewed as a minor candidate due to his extremely low polling numbers. The winner is marked in bold font.

Republican Primary Results

• Congressman Tom Tiffany (Minocqua)                                 95.3%
• Medical Service Technician Andy Manske                             4.6%

Race for Lieutenant Governor

The primary winner is marked in bold font.

Republican Primary

• David Varnam                                                                              55.5%
• Will Martin                                                                                     44.3%

Democratic Primary

• Sarah Godlewski
• This was an uncontested race.

In late July, Governor Tony Evers (D) informed state agencies that they should not submit FY2027-2029 budget requests to the Office of the Governor that include funding increases. Exceptions include funding for K-12 education, the University of Wisconsin system, Medicaid, and overhauling the state prison system.

Current practice is that state agencies submit budget requests to the Office of the Governor on September 15, then the Governor consolidates those requests – often with modifications – and then submits his full budget request to the Legislature early the following year. Of course, a new governor will be elected in November 2026, and the new governor could make significant modifications.