Public Policy Connection


WAHSA's Legislative Action Center
AAHSA's Legislative Action Center


Provider Organization Letter Seeking Meeting with State Auditor on Family Care Audit

 Nursing Home Model for July 1, 2010 rates “Revised”

 Nursing Home CMIs and Behavior Scores – 12/31/09 “Revised”

 Long-term Care Leaders Applaud Family Care Audit

 WAHSA Family Care Audit Testimony – July 14, 2010

 DHS Residential Rate-Setting Presentation – July 12, 2010

 June 29, 2010 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Solicitation of Information: Dispensing of Controlled Substances to Residents at Long-Term Care Facilities

 Family Care MCO 2009 & First Quarter 2010 Financial Statements — July 2010

 Dane County Voices Family Care Concerns

 A National Alert Network Warning on EPINEPHrine Pre-filled Syringe Shortage

 Wisconsin Medicaid – Rate Reform Version 2

 Nursing Home Provider Meeting – June 17, 2010 Handouts

 Federal Legislation to Study Nursing Home Enforcement System
  • S.3407, Improving the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes Act of 2010
  • WAHSA Memo to the Membership on S. 3407
  • Feingold Works To Improve Nursing Home Care
  • AAHSA Applauds Introduction of Legislation to Improve Nursing Home Quality

     Family Care Updates and Advocacy (May 2010)
  • Resolving Family Care Complaints—DHS Document for Providers
  • WAHSA Residential Rate-Setting Comments
  • Provider Coalition Issues Rate-Setting Comments

     Nursing Home Formula Handouts – April 13, 2010 meeting

     Getting Started – Medicare Payments under RUGs IV

     DHS Deb Rathermel Presentation on Family Care Room & Board and Residential Rate-Setting (April 21, 2010)

     WAHSA LTC Managed Care Committee Meeting Notice for April 21, 2010
  • Updated DHS Memo Addressing Family Care Room and Board Payment Limitations

    ForwardHealth Update – February 2010

     AAHSA Federal Health Care Reform Summaries

     WAHSA Position Statement on 2009 Senate Bill 594

     Wisconsin Medicaid CMI & Behavior Scores – September 30, 2009 “Picture Date”

     DHS Seeks $325 million in Additional Medicaid Cuts -- Round Two

     WAHSA Opposes Extending Medicaid Transportation Broker System to Nursing Home Residents

     Family Care MCO Financial Statements thru September 30, 2009 -- Operating Losses Documented

     ForwardHealth Update 2010-05: Reimbursement and Claims Submission Changes for Nursing Home Provided Non-emergency Transportation for Nursing Home Residents

     2009 Senate Bill 538 - March 3, 2010

     2010 Public Policy Forum
  • MA Losses with Ownership 2010
  • Unspecified MA Cuts - Nursing Facilities
  • To Tax or Not To Tax Retirement Homes for the Aged
  • Medicaid 2008-2009 Losses by Senate District
  • 2009 Assembly Bill 389 Issue Brief
  • Fact Sheet: Medicaid Underpayment for Resident Care
  • LAB Audit of the Family Care Program
  • “Initial” WAHSA Legislative Agenda for 2011-13


     WAHSA Position on AB 259-389 - January 27, 2010

     Proposed Audit of the Wisconsin Medical Assistance Program - January 13, 2010

     MCO 2010 Rates

     Wisconsin Medicaid CMI & Behavior Scores – June 30, 2009 “Picture Date”

     Health Reform Employer Provisions - December 24, 2009

     December 2009 DHS ForwardHealth Rate Reform Project (final)

     DHS Nursing Home Overview Presentation - November 2009 (Posted 12/4/09)

     AAHSA Summary of US Senate Health and LTC Provisions - December 2009

     CLASS Final One-Pager 11-13-09

    CLASS Short Talking Points

     Department of Revenue’s Guidance to Assessors on the 2010 Property Tax Exemption for Retirement Homes for the Aged

     3rd Party CBRF Training

     Assisted Living Trends and Statistics

     Assisted Living Serious Enforcement Cases 2009

     DQA Memo - 09-043, Notice of Revisit Fees

     Licensing Threshold Draft Memo and Guidelines

     Medicare Advantage Organizations – Fraud, Waste and Abuse Training Clarification

     WAHSA Family Care Testimony - November 12, 2009

     WAHSA Response to Proposed Changes to AB 259 & AB 389

     LTC Managed Care Committee 11-18-09 Meeting -- Agenda and Handouts

     Health Reform Employer Provisions

     Wisconsin Medicaid CMI & Behavior Scores – March 31, 2009 “Picture Date”

     U.S. Senate Finance Committee Health Care Reform Bill (“America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009”), as amended: List of Key Sections Relevant to WAHSA Members

     Details of the Relevant Sections of the Senate Finance Committee Health Care Reform Bill, as amended

     Reinhart Guidance on Low-Income Housing Exemption

     DOR 2008 Average Residential Values

     Family Care Managed Care Organizations -- 2009 1st Quarter Financial Reports

     DHS Proposed Revisions to Chapter 50

     AAHSA Summary Senate Finance Committee

     WAHSA Opposition to 2009 Senate Bill 108

     WAHSA Opposition to 2009 Assembly Bill 389

     WAHSA Opposition to 2009 Assembly Bill 259

     September 30, 2009 LTC Managed Committee Meeting Agenda and Handouts

     Property Allowance Incentive Application 2009-2010

     AAHSA Public Policy Update--August 26, 2009

     WAHSA Recommendations on DHS Rate Reform Initiative - Long Term Care

     Family Care Handouts

     Assisted Living Forum Handouts
  • Year of Community Living
  • Copy of OCQ Case Profiles

     DHS Proposes Measures to Cut/Save $625 Million From Medicaid

     Family Care / PACE Managed Care Organization Surplus/Deficit Report - 2008

     Proposed Labor Factors for July 1, 2009 Medicaid Rates

     Wisconsin Medicaid CMI and Behavior Scores - December 31, 2008 "Picture Date"

     Governor Doyle Signs Budget Bill Into Law

     WAHSA Position on Property Tax Exemption Changes in State Budget - AB 75

     WAHSA Opposes “Unspecified” Medicaid Cuts; Proposes Cost Saving Alternatives

     Estimated 2007-08 Average Equalized Residential Values by County

     WAHSA Comments to US Senate Finance Committee - A Call to Evaluate the Nursing Home Enforcement System

     AB 75 WAHSA Position Paper

     NorthStar Economics Documents Long Term Care Providers' $5.2 Billion Contribution to Wisconsin's Economy
  • WAHSA/WHCA Press Release on Economic and Employment Contributions of Wisconsin's Nursing Homes
  • Nursing Home Economic Impact Statement by Senate District

    Department of Health Services Asks Providers to Help Cut $415 Million from Medicaid

     Non-Profit LTC and Senior Housing Property Tax Exemptions and Rent Use Issues
  • WAHSA February 25, 2009 - Requesting a Rent-Use Fix
  • Senators Seek Rent-Use Fix - WAHSA Counters Cities' Assertions
  • Department of Revenue - October 23, 2008 Memo on Rent Use and Residential Housing Property Tax Exemption
  • Additional Information on Rent Use Interpretations

     Assembly Bill 75: The Governor's 2009-11 Biennial Budget - Long Term Care Recommendations
  • Bed Tax Legislative Briefing Paper - 2009 AB 75
  • AB 75 Bed Tax Analysis by Facility - WAHSA
  • IFG CPE History - State vs Local Gov't
  • 2009 ICF-MR Bed Tax Increase AB 75
  • 2009-11 Budget Summary - Non-Bed Tax Issues

     Medicaid Nursing Home Fact Sheet & Losses by Senate District - 2007-08

     Pricewaterhouse Coopers’ actuarial report to the Department of Health Services (DHS) detailing the Family Care capitation rates, effective January 1, 2009.

     CMS Five Star Rating System
  • CMS Nursing Home Five Star Rating System Discussion Guide - Recommendations
  • 5-Star Quality Measures - Are they risk adjusted?
  • CMS Technical 5-Star Technical Guide

    Wisconsin Medicaid CMI and Behavior Scores - June 30, 2008 "Picture Date"

     2009 Medicaid Rates for Family Care and Managed Care Organizations

     Wisconsin Medicaid CMI and Behavior Scores – March 31, 2008 “Picture Date”

     WAHSA Medicaid Request

     Civil Rights Compliance and Assisted Living Providers

     HFS 129 Comments

     Wisconsin Medicaid Nursing Home Formula Documents - July 2008
  • Nursing Home Direct Care Factors By Region - July 2008
  • WI Medicaid Case Mix Indexes
  • Bariatric Equipment Supplemental Questionnaire
  • Property Allowance Incentive Application

     Governor Declares June 2008 LTC Givers Month & Poster

     Nursing Facility Medicaid Deficits
  • Press Release: Analysis Documents Record Medicaid Nursing Home Deficits
  • Fact Sheet: Underpayment for Resident Care
  • Wisconsin Nursing Facilities Summary of Medicaid Deficits Payment Year 2006-2007
  • Summary: July 2008 Medicaid Rates

     Property Tax Exemption Legislation
  • The Consequences, Unintended or Otherwise, of the Passage of Senate Bill 403 on Senior Housing
  • Senate Bill 403
  • SB 403 Amendment Request
  • 2007 Senate Bill 403

     Comments on Clearinghouse Rule 07-095, the Proposed Revisions of HFS 83, the CBRF Rule

     WAHSA’s Continued Opposition to Senate Bill 283 and to the Anticipated Amendment to SB 283

     2008 Therapy Fee Schedule Payment Rates

     Wisconsin Medicaid RUGs and Level of Care Case Mix Indexes

     WAHSA Opposition to 2007 Senate Bill 283
  • Alzheimer's Disease Standards Bill

     The Impact on Nursing Homes of a Rate Freeze in 2007-08

     Legislative Fiscal Bureau Issue Paper #396 Nursing Home Rates and Bed Assessment Increase
  • Support for Alternative A4, with a 5% Rate Increase Under Attachment 2, and Alternative B1
  • Briefing Paper: Nursing Home MA Rate Increases and Provider Bed Tax (2007-09 Biennial Budget Bill)

  • Provider Bed Tax and MA Rate Increase: Overall & Facility-Specific Estimates July 2007

  • Overview of Long Term Care Provisions Included in 2007 Senate Bill 40, Governor Doyle's 2007-09 Biennial Budget Bill

  • Fact Sheet: Medicaid Underpayment for Resident Care
  • Summary of Nursing Facility Medicaid Deficits: Payment Year 2005-06 -- Updated

  • WAHSA Nursing Facility Advocacy Agenda: 2007-2009 Biennial Budget
  • Summary of Nursing Facility Medicaid Deficits: Payment Year 2005-06

    WAHSA Advocacy: Seeking 2005-07 Medicaid Nursing Facility Rate Increase/Fuel & Utility Supplement
  • Letter to Wisconsin Legislators, Fact Sheet and Talking Points

    Impact of 2005 Wisconsin Act 25 and MA Rate Increase Veto on Nursing Facilities
  • Excel Spreadsheet file
  • PDF file

    WAHSA 2005-2007 State Biennial Budget Bill: Legislative Issue Briefs

    Issue: Nursing Home Relocation Initiative/Community Integration Program
  • CHSRA Report on Nursing Home and Community Acuity (CHSRA Report)
  • 2003 Nursing Home Information (Key Findings)
  • DHFS Nursing Home Relocation Projections

    Issue: Nursing Home Medicaid Rate Increase and Provider Bed Tax
  • Nursing Home Medicaid Funding Crisis

    Issue: Nursing Home Acuity-Based Rate Adjustments

    WAHSA 2005 Legislative Issue Briefs

    Issue: Property Tax Exemptions for Residential Housing
  • Legislative Council Special Committee Website

    Issue: Liability Cap Extension for Long Term Care and Human Services Providers
  • LRB Draft Legislation



    Long Term Care Reform: WAHSA’s Blueprint for Change

    Follow-up to Audit Report 02-021, Regulation of Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

    News Release: Health Care Leaders Voice TABOR Concerns -- Proposal could lead to Medicaid “Hidden Tax” Hike


    Documents Related to WAHSA's Position on the Property Tax Exemption
    The Columbus Park Supreme Court Decision
    and the Continued Property Tax Exemption for Low Income and Senior Housing Providers
    Talking Points on "Pre-Columbus Park Legislation

    July 2000 Benevolent Retirement Home for the Aged Task Force: Not-for-Profit Perspective -- Final Report

    November 19, 2003 Columbus Park Housing Corporation v. City of Kenosha Supreme Court Decision

    League of Wisconsin Municipalities Amicus Curiae Brief in Columbus Park: Benevolent Retirement Homes

    WAHSA FYI-03-16 (11/26/03): Supreme Court Rules Against Columbus Park Housing Group

    Reinhart Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Property Tax Exemption for Senior Housing: WAHSA Member Alert (1/23/04)

    12/16/03 Letter from John Sauer to James Gultry of the Department of Revenue: Clarification of the Columbus Park Decision

    1/23/04 Memo to Wisconsin Assessors from DOR on Columbus Park

    WHEDA Memo: Property Tax Exemption Issues Raised by Columbus Park -- Potential Effects for WHEDA and WHEDA Draft Language on Possible Amendments

     Non-Profit Affordable Housing Coalition Draft Legislation (no sunset clause)

    2/3/04 Interested Legislators Memo on Columbus Park from John Sauer

    Spreadsheet on Median Incomes (30%, 50%, 60%, 80%, 140% and median)

    1/04/2000 Memo from WAHSA Executive Director John Sauer to Tom Ourada of the Department of Revenue
    on the Legislative Chronology of the Benevolent Retirement Home for the Aged Issue



    WAHSA's 2004 Issue Papers

    Support for Assembly Bill 842 Relating to the Regulation of Nursing Homes

    2003 Assembly Bill 644: RCAC Fees and Regulations

    Issue: $400 Million Medicaid Deficit


    WAHSA's Recommended Long Term Care Reforms (October 2, 2003)


    Board on Aging's Nursing Home Policy White Paper (July 23, 2003)

    WAHSA Letter to the Editor (July 23, 2003)


    FYI-03-11 -- July 24, 2003
  • Governor Signs Budget Bill into Law


    WAHSA's Assisted Living Document: A Discussion on the Differences Between AL and Nursing Homes
  • Cover
  • Document


    WAHSA 2003 Issue Papers:

     Nursing Home Forfeiture Surcharge/Assisted Living Forfeitures

    Nursing Home Medicaid Rate Increase and Provider Bed Tax

    Federal Revenue Maximization Initiatives/Transfer from the Patients Compensation Fund

    Nursing Home Funding in the 2003-05 Biennium

    Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau Report 02-21, “Regulation of Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities”


    WAHSA's Veto-Request Letter Sent to Govenor Doyle (June 25, 2003)

    LFB Paper #400, "Nursing Home Rate Increase and Bed Tax" (DHFS -- Nursing Homes) (May 19, 2003)

    SB 44 Provisions on Nursing Home Rate Increases and Provider Bed Tax/Nursing Home Reimbursement Methods (May 15, 2003)

    Long Term Care Provisions Contained in 2003 Senate Bill 44, the Biennial Budget Bill

    Medicaid Waiver to Restructure and Reform the Long-Term Care Delivery System

    Legislative Briefing Document: 2003 Senate Bill 44, The Governor's 2003-05 Biennial Budget Bill

    Wisconsin Family Care Implementation Process Evaluation Report III
  • Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau Audit Summary

     Regulation of Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
  • Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau Audit Summary


    Who are your legislators? What is the current status of issues and legislation? Follow this link. Click here.

    Study Shows that Quality Nursing Homes are Losing Money

    This study by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) of operating margins in not-for-profit nursing homes is based on an analysis of the 990 tax returns from 272 not-for-profit, freestanding facilities.

    WAHSA 2002 Issue Papers:

    Issue: Preserve IGT Funding for Nursing Homes

     Issue: Support for the Budget Reform Bill's Medicaid Provisions

     Issue: Opposition to The Health Care Worker Mandatory Overtime Prohibition Bills

     Issue: Minimum Nurse Staffing Requirements for Nursing Facilities

     Issue: Summary - July 2000 Medicaid Rates

    Issue Paper: The Critical Need to Approve the Intergovernmental Transfer Program (IGT) Nursing Facility Provisions Contained in Senate Bill 55, the 2001-03 Biennial Budget Bill

    Issue: 2001-2003 Medicaid Nursing Facility Funding Increases

    A Proposed Legislative Solution to the Underfunding of Nursing Homes by the Wisconsin Medicaid Program

    Fact Sheet: The Financial Crisis in Wisconsin's Nursing Facilities

    Response to DHFS Nursing Home "Fact Sheet"

    Special Report: On the Financial Condition of Nursing Homes in Wisconsin

    Benevolent Retirement Home for the Aged Task Force: The Not-for-Profit Perspective -- Final Report; July 28, 2000

    WAHSA 2000 Issue Papers:

    Issue: Future Nursing Facility Funding Concerns

     Issue: A 3.5% wage pass-through for nursing home housekeepers, food workers and laundry workers

     Issue: User Fees

     Issue: A Federal Waiver to Pilot an Alternative Nursing Home Survey Process in Wisconsin

     Issue: Further Balanced Budget Act Refinements Needed

     Issue: Recruitment of Foreign Nurses

     Issue: Use of "Single Task" Employees in Nursing Homes

    WAHSA Letter to BQA related to Single Task Employees -- February 22, 2000

    WAHSA 1999 Issue Papers:

    Issue: Caregiver Criminal Background Checks
     Issue: Support for a Wage Pass-through for Nursing Home Employees
     Position Statement on Family Care, the Governor's Budget Proposal to Redesign the Long-Term Care Delivery System

    Legislative Briefing Document on Senate Bill 45/Assembly Bill 133: The Governor's 1999-2001 Biennial Budget Bill

    Position Statement on Family Care -- The Proposed Redesign of the Long Term Care Delivery System

    Issue: Long Term Care Redesign/Family Care

    Issue: 1997 Assembly Bill 479

    WAHSA's Position on 1997 Senate Bill 261: Property Tax Exemption

    LTC Redesign

    Link to E-mail addresses of members of the Wisconsin Assembly
    Link to E-mail addresses of members of the Wisconsin Senate

    Wisconsin Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
    204 South Hamilton Street
    Madison, WI 53703
    Telephone: (608)255-7060 FAX:(608)255-7064