CONTACT:
Rep. Joe Sanfelippo
[email protected]
608.266.0620
2017 Assembly Bill 798 Highlights Increased Access to Affordable Healthcare Options in Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. – 2017 Assembly Bill 798 passed the Assembly Committee on Small Business Development with a vote of 9-4. While direct primary care legislation has passed in a variety of other states with overwhelming bipartisan support, unfortunately, Assembly Bill 798 only received the support of one Democrat on the committee.
“It’s disappointing that most of my colleagues on the committee from across the aisle put politics before people and voted against a bill that will help increase access to better healthcare while lowering the cost for families and individuals across Wisconsin,” State Representative Joe Sanfelippo said.
Assembly Bill 798 allows healthcare providers and individual patients to enter into a direct primary care agreement. A direct primary care agreement, which is not health insurance, is a contract in which a healthcare provider agrees to offer routine health services for a specified fee over a stated time period.
Twenty-three other states in the country have defined direct primary care agreements in state law, and the federal government is encouraging states to think of innovative ways to incorporate direct primary care into Medicaid programs
“With direct primary care, Wisconsin families could have unlimited 24/7 access to a doctor for one low monthly fee and no out-of-pocket costs like copays and deductibles. Assembly Republicans are fighting to make sure every Wisconsin family has increased options and greater access to affordable healthcare,” said Sanfelippo.
Wisconsin could also become a nationwide leader if this bill is passed into law because the bill directs the Department of Health Services to establish a work group with healthcare professionals to determine how to best use this model in our Medicaid system.
“I’m confident that incorporating the direct primary care model in the Medicaid program and highlighting the direct primary care delivery model for all Wisconsinites will result in better patient health outcomes, greater access to primary care for patients, as well as overall cost savings,” Sanfelippo said.
Assembly Bill 798 will now be available for a final vote in the State Assembly. The Senate companion bill, 2017 Senate Bill 670, has also passed committee and is available for scheduling.
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The 15th Assembly District includes most of West Allis and the Northern half of New Berlin.
