Confirmation.
Ayes, 6 - Senators
M. Meyer, Grobschmidt, Hansen, Ellis, Huelsman and Zien.
Noes, 0 - None.
Mark Meyer
Chairperson
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
June 1, 2001
The Honorable, The Senate:
This is to inform you that I am withdrawing the following nominations:
Marilyn Panka for reappointment to the Board of Nursing for the term to expire July 1, 2005. Ms. Panka has informed my office that she is unable to accept reappointment at this time.
Mr. Don Trettin for reappointment to the Waste Facility Siting Board. Mr. Trettin is no longer eligible to hold the position for which he was nominated.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Scott McCallum
Governor
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
June 5, 2001
The Honorable, The Legislature:
As required by s.
13.94 (1)(de), Wis. Stats., we have completed a financial audit of the Patients Compensation Fund, which insures health care providers in Wisconsin against medical malpractice claims that exceed the primary malpractice insurance thresholds established in statutes. The Fund is governed by a Board of Governors and administered by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. In fiscal year 1999-2000, 11,809 health care providers participated in the Fund. We have provided an unqualified auditor's report on the Fund's financial statements for fiscal years ending June 30, 2000, 1999, and 1998.
Past audit reports discussed concerns regarding the Fund's accounting deficit. Action by the Board of Governors and the Legislature and recent favorable claims experience have contributed to a significant improvement in the Fund's financial position, which showed an accounting surplus of $27.2 million as of June 30, 2000. To address concerns being raised about actuarial estimates that affect the Fund's financial position, and to promote broader acceptance of the actuarial analyses and related decisions, we include a recommendation that a comprehensive review of the consulting actuary's methods and assumptions be performed by an independent actuary.
Further, the Fund needs to take additional steps to ensure that all health care providers are obtaining primary insurance coverage as required by statutes. Our testing disclosed several instances in which providers had not obtained the primary malpractice coverage required by statutes. These uninsured providers could be held liable for up to $ 1 million in settlements or judgements per claim if any malpractice claims were resolved against them.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the staff of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and the contractors who assist in administering the Patients Compensation Fund program.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
__________________
Relating to implementation of a geographic information system registry of closed remediation sites for properties with groundwater contamination exceeding NR 140 enforcement standards at the time of case closure.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, June 5, 2001.
Referred to committee on Environmental Resources,
June 7, 2001.
Relating to establishing municipal flood control and riparian restoration grants.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, June 5, 2001.
Referred to committee on Environmental Resources,
June 7, 2001.
Relating to the revocation of extended supervision of persons serving a bifurcated sentence under the truth-in-sentencing provisions of
1997 Wisconsin Act 283.
Submitted by Division of Hearings and Appeals.
Report received from Agency, June 5, 2001.
Referred to committee on Economic Development and Corrections, June 7, 2001
.
Relating to annual patients compensation fund and mediation fund fees for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2001.
Submitted by Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.
Report received from Agency, June 6, 2001.
Referred to committee on Health, Utilities, Veterans and Military Affairs, June 7, 2001
.
__________________
The committee on Environmental Resources reports and recommends:
Relating to dam design and construction standards and zoning downstream of dams.
No action taken.
Relating to the federal cost sharing program to suppress gypsy moths.
No action taken.
Jim Baumgart
Chairperson
Senator Breske, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn until Tuesday, June 12 at 10:00 A.M..
Adjourned.
10:01 A.M.
