Tuesday, November 27, 2001
Ninety-Fifth Regular Session
The Chief Clerk makes the following entries under the above date.
__________________
Read first time and referred:
Senate Bill 331
Relating to: collective bargaining and binding arbitration coverage under the Municipal Employment Relations Act for fire fighting supervisors employed by a 1st class city.
By
Senators
Burke and George; cosponsored by Representatives Krusick, Berceau, Bock, Carpenter, Meyerhofer, Plale, Richards, Sinicki, Sykora, Turner, Williams and Young.
To committee on Labor and Agriculture.
Senate Bill 332
Relating to: overpayment of state transit operating aids to the city of Rhinelander.
By
Senator
Breske
; cosponsored by Representative D. Meyer.
To committee on Insurance, Tourism, and Transportation.
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State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
November 21, 2001
To the Honorable, the Senate:
The following bill(s), originating in the Senate, have been approved, signed and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Sincerely,
Scott McCallum
Governor
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Secretary of State
To the Honorable, the Senate:
Sincerely,
Douglas La follette
Secretary of State
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
November 26, 2001
The Honorable, The Legislature:
Under the terms of a contract with the Legislative Audit Bureau, the Lewin Group has completed its second report on implementation of the Family Care Pilot program. Its first implementation report was released in November 2000. The Legislature authorized the Family Care program--a redesign of Wisconsin's long-term care system for the elderly and adults with physical and developmental disabilities--in
1999 Wisconsin Act 9. Act 9 also directed the Audit Bureau to contract with an organization other than an agency of the State to evaluate the pilot program. In addition to the enclosed report, the Lewin Group will provide a report on the program's impact and cost-effectiveness, as well as additional reports on program implementation, in the 2001-03 biennium.
The Family Care program is being piloted in nine counties. Jackson, Kenosha, Marathon, and Trempealeau counties operate Resource Centers, which provide information and referral services to both consumers and providers of long-term care services. Fond du Lac, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Portage, and Richland counties operate both Resource Centers and Care Management Organizations (CMOs), which coordinate care and manage capitated payments for those determined to be eligible for the Family Care benefit. Expenditures for the Resource Centers and CMOs totaled $32.2 million in calendar year 2000; expenditures are expected to increase in 2001 as enrollment is projected to increase from 2,875 individuals in March 2001, the first quarter in which all five CMOs were operational, to 5100 individuals by the end of 2001.
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The Lewin Group notes that since November 2000, the Department of Health and Family Services and the pilot counties have made considerable progress in implementing Family care, although the counties are at different stages in terms of program processes, capacity, and enrollment. In January 2002, the counties will implement a final program element, an independent enrollment broker, as proposed by the Department and approved by the federal government. The Lewin report points out a number of areas that need to be addressed as the pilots continue, including outreach, provider relations, care management, quality assurance, and cost.
We appreciate the cooperation and courtesy of the Department of Health and Family Services and the many county staff, citizen members of long-term care councils, and provider representatives who have worked with the Lewin Group throughout the evaluation process. The second implementation report is available on our Web site at
www.legis.state.wi.us/lab, or it can be obtained by contacting our office at (608) 266-2818.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
