As we look back over the 2023-2024 state legislative session, we are grateful for the strong advocacy efforts of WiHPCA in Madison.  With your help, WiHPCA worked on a number of policies that benefit hospice and palliative care agencies and the patients we serve:

• Preventing Unnecessary Regulatory “Red Tape” for Hospice Agencies – WiHPCA successfully advocated to exempt hospices from a bill that required the reporting of deaths that occur within 24 hours of presentment or admittance at hospices and hospitals to medical examiners or coroners.  As this legislation would have dramatically increased the number of deaths that hospices would need to report to medical examiners or coroners – especially since these deaths are expected – WiHPCA members and its government relations team aggressively advocated the legislature to amend this bill to exempt hospices.  The version of this bill (Senate Bill 178), which is now law, includes such an exemption.
• State Assembly Approval of a Bill Creating a Palliative Care Council – WiHPCA worked closely with state Representative Patrick Snyder (R-Wausau Area) and state Senator Jesse James (R-Eau Claire Area) to draft and introduce a bill to create a state Palliative Care Council.  The intent behind this proposed council would be to increase awareness of palliative care, which is often misunderstood by the general public, as well as some health care providers.  This legislation passed the Assembly Health Committee unanimously, passed the full Assembly by voice vote, and received a hearing in a Senate committee.  However, despite a strong advocacy push by WiHPCA members and its government relations team, the full Senate did not vote on this legislation prior to the adjournment of the 2023-2024 legislative session. 
• Please note that WiHPCA is already working towards re-introducing this bill during the 2025-2026 legislative session.

We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with WiHPCA as the 2025-2026 state legislative session begins.

From all of us at Hoven Consulting, we would like to wish all of you and your families a very happy and healthy holiday season!