I am vetoing this bill because it is unnecessarily broad in defining what activities constitute a quality improvement activity and what records would be kept confidential. Patient advocates have raised concerns about adequate access to records needed to redress suspected wrongdoing. These concerns have not been fully resolved. Although I fully support efforts to improve health care quality and to promote the use of legitimate quality improvement activities, this bill goes too far in allowing providers to define and shield information and claim immunity in the name of quality improvement.
Current law provides that most records pertaining to peer review activities are shielded except when the release is explicitly authorized. Current law also provides immunity from civil actions to persons acting in good faith and participating in a peer review activity. The effect of this veto is to maintain the current definition and protection of peer review records and immunity for peer review activities contained in current law.
Efforts to reform peer review or quality improvement activities must balance provider protections with patients' and the public's right to information. This bill fails to strike the proper balance.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
April 11, 2006
The Honorable, The Legislature:
In accordance with s.
16.75(3m)(c)4, Wis. Stats., enclosed is the State of Wisconsin Minority Business Report for Fiscal Year 2005. The report provides information on state agency and University of Wisconsin purchasing with minority business enterprises certified by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. Highlights include the following:
• State agencies and the University of Wisconsin System made FY05 purchases with Wisconsin certified minority-owned businesses totaling $46,066,169, a 6.1% increase over FY04.
• For the eighteenth year in a row, the DOA Division of State Facilities architectural/engineering selection process exceeded the 5% MBE goal.
• The DOA Capital Finance Office achieved a minority-owned business participation rate of 8.7% on its sale of bonds and notes.
• The DOA Capital Finance Office and DNR expended 14.17% of Environment Improvement Funds through minority-owned firms.
• The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority expended 23.40% of its discretionary spending with minority-owned businesses.
State government appreciates its partnership with minority-owned businesses. We look forward to increasing purchasing with minority-owned firms in the months and years ahead.
Sincerely,
STEPHEN E. BABLITCH
Secretary
Referred to committee on Labor and Election Process Reform.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
April 17, 2006
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Bartell, Jeffrey,
of Middleton, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2013.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Higher Education and Tourism.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
April 17, 2006
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Smith
, Brent,
of La Crosse, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2013.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Higher Education and Tourism.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
April 17, 2006
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Wollman, Roberta,
of Jackson, as a member of the Real Estate Appraisers Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2007.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Job Creation, Economic Development and Consumer Affairs.
__________________
Relating to the 2006 edition of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
Submitted by Department of Regulation and Licensing.
Report received from Agency, April 19, 2006.
Referred to committee on Labor and Election Process Reform, April 19, 2006
.
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Senate amendment 1 to Senate Bill 640 offered by Senator Lazich.
Senate amendment 1 to Senate Bill 691 offered by Senator Brown.
