We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by DPI, the regional library system directors, and the many public library directors who responded to our survey and our additional requests for information.
Respectfully submitted,
janice mueller
State Auditor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
April 18, 2008
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed a review of dental care services provided under the State's Medical Assistance program, as requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Dentists statewide have long expressed concern about the amounts they are reimbursed under the program. In fiscal year (FY) 2006-07, when approximately $46.0 million was spent for dental services provided to Medical Assistance recipients, only 1,342 of 3,493 licensed dentists in Wisconsin, or 38.4 percent, were certified as Medical Assistance providers statewide.
We focused our analysis on four counties in southeast Wisconsin in which dental services are provided to Medical Assistance recipients through health maintenance organizations (HMOs). We found lower utilization of dental care services among HMO enrollees, particularly for those under the age of 21, and higher costs than in the fee-for-service system used in other counties. Furthermore, HMO utilization rates have not improved in the past five years. We therefore include a recommendation for the Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS), which administers the Medical Assistance program, to develop alternative dental service delivery models for southeast Wisconsin before current contracts expire in December 2009.
The Legislature has recently funded alternative programs to improve dental care services to low-income and underserved populations in varied settings, including federally funded community health centers. For example, since FY 2005-06 it has appropriated $16.3 million in general purpose revenue for various dental clinics and programs. In December 2006 the Joint Committee on Finance approved the distribution of $4.1 million in federal funds as one-time grants to expand dental services provided through specific clinics and programs statewide.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation of DHFS and other parties with whom we met in conducting this review.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Government Accountability Board
April 29, 2008
The Honorable, The Senate:
The following lobbyists have been authorized to act on behalf of the organizations set opposite their names.
For more detailed information about these lobbyists and organizations and a complete list of organizations and people authorized to lobby the 2007-2008 session of the legislature, visit the Government Accountability Board's web site at
http://ethics.state.wi.us/
Alig, Joanne Wisconsin Association of Health Plans
Glenn, Deb Park Towne Management, Inc.
Leonard, Ramie Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS)
McIntosh, Forbes Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS)
Ring, Jim Park Towne Management, Inc.
White, Bill Park Towne Management, Inc.
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Also available from the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board are reports identifying the amount and value of time state agencies have spent to affect legislative action and reports of expenditures for lobbying activities filed by organizations that employ lobbyists.
Sincerely,
Kevin Kennedy
Director and General Counsel
__________________
Motions Under Senate Rule 98 and Joint Rule 7
for the Month of March 2008
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for A+ Mortgage, on the occasion of being named the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2007 Business of the Year.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Suzanne Barry, on the occasion of being named the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2007 Rookie of the Year.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Schultz, for Jerry Baryenbruch, on the occasion of his 50 years with the Spring Green EMS.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Hansen, for the Bay Port Boys basketball team, on the occasion of a remarkable season and their first trip ever to the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Callen Construction, on the occasion of being named the recipient of the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2007 Mayor's Beautification Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Cowles, for the family and friends of Joel Cartier, on the occasion of the dedication of the Joel P. Cartier Environmental Classroom in his memory.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Taylor, for Ernesto Chacon, on the occasion of his retirement after years of dedicated service in the Governor's office.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Roessler, for Paul Joseph Dress, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for Connor Emmel, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Harsdorf, for Matt Flanders, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Roessler, for Kyle William Flynn, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Darling, for the Fox Point - Bayside School Band, on the occasion of being selected by the Wisconsin School Music Association to partake in “Music in Our Schools Month".
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Kim Hastings, on the occasion of being named the 2007 New Berlin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for InPro Corporation, on the occasion of being a recipient of the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2007 V.I.P. Volunteer in Partnership Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Kanavas, for Eric Jonardi, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Roessler, for Andrew Edward Jodarski, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lehman, for David Kherdian, on the occasion of receiving the Emily Lee Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lasee, for Maynard Kuehl, on the occasion of being selected as the Kewaunee Rotary Club 2008 Person of the Year.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Darling, for Gail Lione, on the occasion of receiving the 2008 Sacagawea Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Schultz, for Joe Machovec, on the occasion of his years of service to the people of Washington Township.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for Alexander Marsland, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Harsdorf, for Benjamin Matthys, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Alyssa McCormack, on the occasion of being the recipient of the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2007 Youth Volunteer Scholarship Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Ellis, for Reid Douglas Michie, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for the Middleton Girls' Basketball Team, on the occasion of their appearance at the 2008 WIAA Girls' Basketball Tournament.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for The Monroe Girls' Basketball Team, on the occasion of their appearance at the 2008 Wisconsin Girls' State Basketball Tournament.
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A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Kanavas, for Patrick Murphy, on the occasion of his years of service as a member of the School District of Elmbrook Board of Education.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for the New Berlin Eisenhower Boys' Basketball Team and head coach David Scheidegger, on the occasion of winning the 2008 Division 2 Boys' State Basketball Championship.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Roessler, for Kyle B. Olson, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Grothman, for Zachary Alan Ostrowski, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Fitzgerald, for Lynn Persha, on the occasion of her years of service to the Hustisford School District.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Cowles, for Joe Pliner, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Don Reidy, owner of Reidy Tractor Services, on the occasion of receiving the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2007 Appreciation Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Schultz, for J. Michael Roraff, on the occasion of his retirement after twenty years of service as Director of the Juneau County Department of Human Services.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Lori J. Schniker, on the occasion of being the New Berlin Chamber of Commerce 2007 John Ziino Civic Award Recipient.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Jack Spoerl, on the occasion of being named the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2007 Ambassador of the Year.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Coggs, for St. Matthew Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, on the occasion of celebrating their 90th Anniversary.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Taylor, for St. Matthew Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, on the occasion of celebrating their 90th Anniversary.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Kanavas, for Cheri Sylla, on the occasion of her years of service as a member of the School District of Elmbrook Board of Education.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Roessler, for Commander Jim Tratz, on the occasion of Jim's service and commitment to both AMVETS and Veterans all over.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Jauch, for Bob and Brud Ungrodt, on the occasion of their retirement after years of service to the Washburn citizens through Ungrodt Hardware Company.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Zachary Van Natta, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for the Verona Girls' Basketball team, on the occasion of making an appearance at the 2008 Wisconsin Girls' State Basketball Tournament.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Waukesha State Bank, on the occasion of receiving the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2007 recipient of the Directors Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Sullivan, for the Wauwatosa Beautification Committee, on the occasion of being the recipient of a Scenic Beauty Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for Nathan Wilde, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Darling, for Dr. Earnestine Willis, on the occasion of receiving the 2008 Sacagawea Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for Jacqueline Wipperfurth, on the occasion of her retirement from the Department of Revenue after 39 years of service.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Vinehout, for Gerald “Jerry" Wood, on the occasion of his retirement and thank him for his years of dedicated service.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Roessler, for Zacherl Funeral Home, on the occasion of providing the Fond du Lac area with 150 years of compassion and dignity.
