Wisconsin
Wisconsin Senate president says health care affordability is top priority in 2026
The president of the Wisconsin State Senate says making health care more affordable is a priority for Senate Republicans before this legislative session wraps up in March.
That goal echoes statements from Gov. Tony Evers on Monday, who said at a press conference his legislative agenda for his final year in office is centered around “addressing rising costs” for Wisconsinites.
Senate President Mary Felzkowski, who represents the 12th district in northern Wisconsin, authored multiple bills related to health care costs during this session. One aims to address cost transparency in health care.
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Felzkowski told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” her bill would better enforce existing federal rules around how hospitals inform patients about the cost of procedures and health services. She wants Wisconsin law to have “more teeth” to make up for what she sees as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ failure to enforce those rules.
The bill would allow the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to take action and impose penalties against hospitals found not following federal transparency rules.
“The hospitals have fought us on this,” Felzkowski said. “They do not want that transparency, which is a little telling.”
A representative for the Wisconsin Hospital Association said at a legislative hearing that they oppose the “regulatory complexity” and “unlimited fines” on Wisconsin hospitals, “when robust federal regulation and enforcement already exists.” They also claimed no Wisconsin hospital had been fined for not following those federal rules since they were put in place.
During his press conference, Gov. Evers focused on insurance companies instead of hospitals. He called on the Legislature to pass laws that would audit insurance companies for denying claims at high rates, crack down on prior authorizations and expand the health care services that insurance companies are required to cover.
“Medical costs and bills, especially when they aren’t covered by insurance, are straining household budgets,” Evers said. “Let’s make sure Wisconsinites’ insurance will cover more health care services and procedures with no delays, no hassles and no questions asked.”
Lowering prescription drug prices is a goal for both Evers and Felzkowski. Evers said he wants to pass elements of his “Less for Rx” plan that lawmakers struck from the 2025-27 budget, like imposing a $35 cap on insulin for all Wisconsinites.
“I know there’s bipartisan support for tackling prescription drug prices and price gouging,” Evers said. “I’ll work with any legislator who wants to get this done.”
But Felzkowski said the governor’s proposals aren’t broad enough.
“There’s a whole spectrum of people that can’t afford their prescription drugs,” Felzkowski said.
The Senate president is instead proposing a bill that would reform pharmacy benefit manager practices, expanding on reforms that Evers signed into law in 2021.
The legislation would require pharmacy benefit managers — the “middle-men” that negotiate drug prices for insurers and employers — to allow patients to use any licensed pharmacy in the state without facing penalties. It also requires the companies to pay pharmacists a minimum dispensing fee and cut down on long delays for reimbursement to pharmacies.
“Sweeping reforms, like this pharmacy benefit manager bill, have actually shown in other states to lower costs as well as helping protect independent pharmacies,” Felzkowski said. “It’s a win-win situation that’s being ignored by our governor.”
Evers also urged lawmakers to expand Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days to 12 months. Felzkowski agrees.
“The Assembly needs to pass it,” Felzkowski said. “We’ve passed it in the Senate (during) two sessions with great bipartisan support, and it has stalled in the Assembly. So the Assembly Republican caucus just needs to put enough pressure on leadership to get it done.”
With the action-packed Wisconsin high school boys basketball regular season completed and March Madness beginning, it’s time to take a look at some of the outstanding players and cast your vote for the best.
We began by looking at the most prolific individual scoring threats, talented 3-point shooters,strong rebounders, and top free-throw shooters so now it’s time to take a look at the high-caliber guards from throughout the state.
There are hundreds of high-caliber boys basketball players in Wisconsin, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.
Voting remains open until March 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
(Players are listed in alphabetical order and all nominees are leaders from the 2025-26 season as compiled by Bound.com, and WIAA; the poll is below the list of athletes)
Castillo is averaging 25.4 points per game with 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals for Greendale (18-6 overall record).
Collien is averaging 15 points per game with 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists for Oakfield (21-3 overall record).
Edwards is averaging 14.1 points per game with 7.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists for D.C. Everest (21-3 overall record).
Gray Jr. was averaging 24.3 points per game with 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals prior for West Allis Central (22-2 overall record).
Hereford is averaging 36.4 points per game with 9.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 4.1 steals for Beloit Memorial (22-2 overall record).
Johnson is averaging 27.3 points per game with 8.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 steals for Milwaukee Juneau (22-1 overall record).
Jones is averaging 23.3 points per game with 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 steals for Germantown (15-9 overall record).
Kern is averaging 16 points per game with 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists for New Berlin West (21-3 overall record).
Kilgore is averaging 14.6 points per game with 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 steals for Kewaunee (24-0 overall record).
Kohnen is averaging 16.3 points per game with 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals for Slinger (20-4 overall record).
Knueppel is averaging 17.4 points per game with 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.4 steals for Wisconsin Lutheran (24-0 overall record).
Loose is averaging 18.2 points per game with 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals for Port Washington (23-1 overall).
Manchester is averaging 35.8 points per game for Mount Horeb (19-5 overall record).
Platz is averaging 19.5 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals for Brookfield East (19-5 overall record).
Prochnow is averaging 21.3 points per game with 11.1 assists, 4.8 assists, and 3.2 steals for Reedsville (21-3 overall record).
Resch is averaging 21.3 points per game with 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals for Arrowhead (18-6 overall record).
Schultz is averaging 27.4 points per game with 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals for Plymouth (17-7 overall record).
Schwalbach is averaging 15 points per game with 4.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals for Kaukauna (21-3 overall).
Sweeney is averaging 15.5 points per game for Appleton North (20-4 overall record).
Vandenberg is averaging 13 points per game with 2.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds for Freedom (23-1 overall).
About Our Player Poll Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.
— Jeff Hagenau | jeffreyhagenau@gmail.com
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