Gov. Evers signs fentanyl testing strips decriminalization bill

Gov. Evers signs SB 600 into law

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed Senate Bill 600 into law March 16, removing fentanyl test strips from the criminal definition of “drug paraphernalia” in state statutes. The Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) and the Wisconsin Society of Addiction Medicine (WISAM) strongly supported the bill throughout the legislative process. WISAM President and WisMed member, Ritu Bhatnagar, MD, testified at both State Assembly and State Senate committee public hearings on how more widespread availability of the strips can help prevent accidental fentanyl-related overdoses and deaths.

Ritu Bhatnagar, MD testifies at the State Capitol

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid epidemic has continued, and Wisconsin has seen an increase in overdoses due to fentanyl,” Dr. Bhatnagar said in this press release after the bill was signed. “Today’s action to decriminalize the possession of fentanyl test strips is therefore very timely, as it will help make life-saving information available at critical times.

“Simply put: this bill can save lives,” Dr. Bhatnagar said.

State Assembly Rep. Jesse James (R-Altoona) and State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) authored the proposal, which received unanimous support in both houses.

Contact Society Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD for more information.

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Med Board advances new chaperone language; accepts stakeholders’ offer of further discussions

The State of Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (MEB) continued efforts at its monthly meeting on March 16 to advance a new administrative rule promoting the use of chaperones when physicians perform sensitive physical exams. Due to a state Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) finding that a previous version of the rule proposal would have cost stakeholders at least $55 million in training and hiring costs in just the first year of compliance, the MEB hit the reset button and worked to revise the rule.

Prior to this month’s meeting, the Wisconsin Medical Society and Wisconsin Hospital Association sent the MEB a joint letter expressing concerns that even with the new language, compliance costs would remain burdensome. The letter also suggested that both organizations would welcome contributing to any MEB workgroup to help craft a more reasonable rule that helps empower the MEB in addressing charges of inappropriate sexual conduct without upsetting physician due process rights or adding costly requirements.   

The MEB decided to follow both tracks for now – voting to approve moving forward with the revised language (which will eventually trigger a new economic impact analysis period) while also creating a committee of MEB members and stakeholders to hold discussions on a possible alternate approach.

Contact Society Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD for more information.

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Caucus meetings underway

Wisconsin Medical Society Districts 5 and 7 have held their Caucus meetings and the remaining meetings are listed below. This page will be updated as caucus meetings are scheduled. Must be a Society member to participate. For more information contact membership@wismed.org.

• District 1 – TBD
• District 2 – April 5 at 6:30 p.m. meeting virtually, contact Stephanie Taylor for link
• District 3 – TBD
• District 4 – TBD
• District 5 – took place on March 16
• District 6 – TBD
• District 7 – took place on March 8
• District 8 – March 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Local or via zoom, contact Stephanie Taylor for link
  
  
• Specialty Sections – April 6 at 6 p.m. meeting virtually
• Student Section – TBD
• Resident/Fellow Section (RFS) – TBD
• Young Physician Section (YPS) – TBD

Policy proposals can be submitted and reviewed via PolicyLink.* Please contact membership@wismed.org with any questions or for help logging in.

*PolicyLink is a members-only resource and will require you to log in. For questions or assistance please contact membership@wismed.org.

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Key money moves to make by age 45

Regardless of your income, with some simple money moves you have more control and financial opportunity than you might think.

You don’t need to be rich. You don’t need to earn a million dollars a year. And you definitely don’t need to sacrifice your lifestyle.

Many of us have unnecessary stress trying to balance our lifestyle, spending, saving and investing. “Can I really afford this? Should I really buy a new car? Am I saving enough? Am I setting enough money aside for my future?” Without answers to these questions, we can drive ourselves crazy.

Wondering what a money move is? It’s a simple strategy that can help your money work harder for you, so you can live your life without second-guessing every financial decision.

One of the best money moves is to automate your finances.

• Set up monthly transfers to save and pay cash for your next vehicle
• Opt-in to annually increase your 401(k) or 403(b) contributions automatically
• Establish monthly contributions to non-employer investment accounts
• Set up your bank’s bill pay system to pay extra on your mortgage as your income increases

Want three more money moves to make before you turn 45? Download WisMed Financial’s guide  or schedule an appointment.

You can also download the 2022 tax brackets, retirement contribution limits, investment checklist and quick decision flow charts from the new WisMed Mobile app.

For personalized help eliminating debt, investing smart and securing your retirement, please contact Mark Ziety, CFP®, AIF® 608.442.3750.

Mark Ziety, CFP®, AIF®
WisMed Financial, Inc. part of the Wisconsin Medical Society.

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PATCH Symposium to help health care professionals interact with teens

The PATCH Symposium is a one-of-a-kind opportunity in which health care professionals and young people (ages 12-21) from across Wisconsin will collaborate to learn, share and grow as adolescent health champions and advocates! This event will be held April 20 in Madison and is designed to provide professional development opportunities to a variety of Wisconsin health care professionals while prioritizing youth voices.

At the PATCH Symposium, attendees will be given the opportunity to learn from health experts during a variety of breakout sessions – all of which are co-presented with a teen. Topics include adolescent confidentiality, COVID-19 vaccination and teens, serving youth with special health care needs, toxic teen relationships, destigmatizing mental health, impacts of discrimination on BIPOC youth, motivational interviewing for health care transition, perspectives on youth digital lives, creating inclusive and sex positive health environments and vaping and teens – with the potential for conversations about many other topics.

Together, attendees and young people will be able to:

• Describe the concerns, preferences and realities of young people in health care settings.
• Acknowledge diversity among teens and recognize the challenges and opportunities this poses in health care settings
• Identify clinical education, practice improvement and policy opportunities to enhance adolescent health services in Wisconsin.
• Demonstrate ways to be adolescent health champions in their communities.

Click here for agenda, registration and details.

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