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.”
WPR is deeply saddened by the death of Jon Miskowski, PBS Wisconsin’s Emeritus Director of Television, who retired May 1. Jon died Saturday, May 9, at home surrounded by his family following a long battle with cancer. Read Jon’s obituary online here.
Starting as a volunteer for public television more than 40 years ago, Jon’s career was marked by his dedication and passion for public media to improve the lives of all of the people of Wisconsin.
Read more about Jon and his career in public media at pbswisconsin.org.
PBS Wisconsin has invited anyone with memories of Jon to share them via email at comments@pbswisconsin.org. PBS Wisconsin will share memories across digital and broadcast channels as we carry on his legacy of providing essential public media services to this state that he loved.
Jon’s family requests that anyone wishing to make a memorial gift in Jon’s memory consider supporting the work to which he dedicated his professional life. Gifts in Jon’s memory can be made online here.
WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – The Wausau West girls’ soccer team put on a defensive clinic on Tuesday, beating Wisconsin Rapids 1-0 to add another conference win.
The Warriors snagged the game’s only goal in the first half, thanks to Maddy Weller.
From there, the Warriors managaed to control posession and keep the Red Raiders out of the net.
The win moves West to 4-0-1 in the Valley, With SPASH’s draw against Everest on Tuesday, the two teams are now tied for first in conference. Rapids is now 1-3-2 in the Valley
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Copyright 2026 WSAW. All rights reserved.
The University of Wisconsin has officially turned the page, formally launching a national search for its next Director of Athletics.
In a move that signals a coordinated transition of power, the search is being led by incoming Interim Chancellor Eric Wilcots. Outgoing Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, whose tenure concludes on May 16, requested Wilcots take the lead to ensure the new AD and the university’s leadership are perfectly aligned from day one.
“Wisconsin Athletics plays a vital role in the life of our campus and our community; its success matters,” says Wilcots. “The director of athletics will lead us into a new era of Wisconsin Athletics during a transformational time in college athletics.”
The Committee
To find the right fit, Wilcots has assembled a nine-member advisory committee that reads like a “Who’s Who” of Wisconsin sports history and professional excellence. The committee is chaired by Lauren Bishop, a former Duke rower and current UW associate professor who serves as a Faculty Athletics Representative to the Big Ten.
The press release revealed the committee members, which features several names that should be familiar to the Wisconsin fanbase:
- Chris Ballard: Current Indianapolis Colts General Manager and former Badger football player (Class of ’93).
- Rob Cramer: UW–Madison’s Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration and a 1992 alumnus.
- Meghan Duggan: Director of Player Development for the New Jersey Devils and legendary former Badger women’s hockey star (Class of ’11).
- Michael Finley: Dallas Mavericks executive and iconic Badger men’s basketball alumnus (Class of ’14).
- Elzie Higginbottom: President of East Lake Management, 1965 track and field alumnus, and member of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association Board.
- Marija Pientka: Wisconsin’s Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Administration and former Badger tennis player (Class of ’95).
- Michael Shannon: Co-Founder of KSL Capital Partners, 1980 alumnus, and member of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association Board.
- William Smith: Current men’s soccer student-athlete and President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
“I’m grateful and humbled to be a part of such an important search at the university, one that will shape the future of Wisconsin Athletics,” Bishop stated. “It is vitally important we hear from a variety of voices on the qualities we should be seeking in a new director.”
Lauren Bishop
What’s at Stake?
The next AD won’t just be overseeing wins and losses. The university made it clear that the new hire must have a “strong emphasis on student-athlete health, wellbeing, academic success, finance and facilities, and fundraising.”
In the age of revenue sharing and multi-million dollar NIL collectives, the Badgers are looking for a visionary who can keep Wisconsin competitive at the highest level without losing the “Wisconsin Way” culture.
The Timeline
CSA Search and Consulting is assisting the search, and the university expects the new Director of Athletics to be in their seat and ready to work by this summer. With a top-20 football recruiting class currently in the works and a basketball program navigating a busy off-season, the timing couldn’t be more critical.
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