Trudy A. Carlson, Ph.D., Director
Office of Health Care Information
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
September 1995
The Honorable, The Legislature:
Pursuant to section 153.10(1), Wis. Stat., we are pleased to submit to the Governor and to the Legislature the quarterly Health Care Data Report. This report is based on hospital inpatient discharge data reported to the Office of Health Care Information by all operating general medical-surgical and specialty hospitals in Wisconsin for the fourth quarter of 1994. It also contains selected ambulatory surgery utilization and charge data from general medical-surgical hospitals and freestanding ambulatory surgery centers in Wisconsin during the same quarter.
This report fulfills the statutory requirement to report "in a manner that permits comparisons among hospitals... the charges for up to 100 health care services or diagnostic-related groups selected by the office."
Sincerely,
josephine W. musser
Commissioner of Insurance
Trudy A. Carlson, Ph.D., Director
Office of Health Care Information
State of Wisconsin
Legislation Audit Bureau
October 25, 1995
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed a review of the State's use of outside legal counsel and service. Agencies engage private attorneys when the Office of the Attorney General is unable to provide representation and for other purposes, such as consultation, legal advice, and teaching. In fiscal year 1994-95, the State spent an estimated $3.18 million on outside legal counsel and services.
Oversight of the use of private attorneys, as any other contracted service, is essential to ensure that the contracts are necessary and appropriate and that costs are monitored. Overall, it appears that most agencies have attempted to use private attorneys appropriately, and some costs and contracts are currently monitored by the Office of the Governor and the Department of Justice. However, nearly two-thirds of expenditures are paid directly from agency budgets, and there is significant variation among agencies in interpreting the statutes and procedures that govern the use of private attorneys and the reasons for which they should be engaged.
Based on our review of efforts in the private sector and other states, we have identified a number of steps the State can take to improve the consistency and quality of oversight to prevent potential problems. First, the Governor's office should provide more specific definitions and guidance to executive branch agencies on when and how private attorneys should be engaged. In addition, cost reporting for contracts should be improved. Finally, guidelines for developing standard contracts that stipulate allowable costs, rates, billing formats, and case monitoring should be developed.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by staff at the Office of the Governor, the Department of Justice, and other agencies that we contacted during the course of the audit. Responses from the Office of the Governor and the Department of Justice are appendices III and IV.
Sincerely,
Dale cattanach
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
October 31, 1995
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed an evaluation of the Department of Corrections' inmate transportation system. Each month, the Department transports 37 percent of all inmates in its custody, primarily for reassignment from one institution to another and to provide inmates with off-site medical services. We estimate annual costs for vehicles and actual staff time spent transporting inmates are approximately $2.26 million.
The Department has an excellent safety record in transporting inmates, with only one serious escape incident in the last ten years. Nevertheless, as the number of inmates has grown and the State has built more correctional facilities, managing transportation services has become more complex and costly. The Department has taken some actions to increase efficiency by attempting to reduce staff overtime and by partially centralizing transportation services. However, further efficiencies are possible by establishing standard transportation systems for both interfacility and medical transfers. By scheduling trips in advance and following standard routes, we estimate the Department could reduce interfacility trip costs by between 34.1 and 38.0 percent and medical trip costs by between 20.7 and 22.0 percent, while maintaining current safety levels.
In addition to saving through greater efficiency, the Department can also achieve reduced transportation costs by decreasing the demand for trips. We have identified options for the Department to limit the number of referrals for off-site medical care that require transportation. These include expanded screening and prior approval of off-site referrals, expanded use of currently available tele-medicine technology, and careful exploration of privatization options.
A separate, detailed management letter describing our recommendations and options for restructuring the existing transportation system has been delivered to the Department and is available upon request.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by Department of Corrections staff. The Department's response is the appendix.
Sincerely,
dale cattanach
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Recycling Marketing Development Board
October 26, 1995
The Honorable, The Legislature:
S427
The Recycling Market Development Board submits this strategic plan to the Wisconsin Legislature in fulfillment of ss.159.41 of the Wisconsin Statutes. This plan is delivered to the Chief Clerk in each House of the Legislature per the requirements in ss.
13.172(3), Wisconsin Statutes.
Landfill and incineration bans on certain recoverable items in the municipal solid waste stream were enacted by
1989 Wisconsin Act 335, also known as the "recycling law".
1993 Wisconsin Act 75 created the Recycling Market Development Board (RMDB) to coordinate market development activities for these recovered materials. The legislated purpose of the RMDB is to promote the development of sustainable, high-value markets for recovered materials on behalf of, and in cooperation with waste generators, and to promote the orderly and efficient marketing of these materials.
The 1995-97 Biennial Budget directed the RMDB to prepare a strategic plan to "guide the development and implementation of the board's activities" (ss.159.41 Wisconsin Statutes). The Board has fulfilled the statutory requirement in preparing its strategic plan. This plan sets forth measurable goals, a priority list of materials for funding, project funding criteria, as well as action plans for the high ranking materials on the priority list. Additionally, the plan denotes the relationships between the RMDB, business, industry, and government.
The planning process was very thorough. Over one hundred representatives from recycling businesses, the recycling industry, and state and local government all participated in the strategic planning process, offering information through interviews, feedback sessions, and public comment. Market and material studies were also conducted to obtain the most reliable data available.
The Recycling Market Development Board respectfully submits its strategic plan for dispersal to the appropriate standing committees of the Wisconsin Senate.
Sincerely,
gail miller wray
Executive Director
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
October 26, 1995
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Behnke
, Herbert F.,
of Shawano, as a member of the Natural Resources Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2001.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environment and Energy.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
October 26, 1995
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Blaubach, Lorraine M.,
of Thiensville, as a member of the Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 1997.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Business, Economic Development and Urban Affairs.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
October 26, 1995
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Busalacchi, Frank,
of Milwaukee, as a member of the Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 1997.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Business, Economic Development and Urban Affairs.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
October 26, 1995
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Lehman
, Michael,
of Hartford, as a member of the Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 1999.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Business, Economic Development and Urban Affairs.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
October 26, 1995
