Contact Congress: Protect the Physician Workforce from Prohibitive Visa Fees

In September 2025 President Donald Trump issued a proclamation dramatically changing the H1-B immigration program, including the addition of a new $100,000 filing fee for certain H-1B petitions. The house of medicine immediately recognized that the new edict could cause significant negative impacts for recruiting and hiring international medical graduates (IMG) as well as the communities they could serve – including rural and underserved communities.

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in Congress to address this problem: H.R.7691, the “H-1B for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act,” would exempt physician and health care workers (as defined under the ACA) from the $100,000 H-1B petition fee and cap filing fees at the existing maximum of $1,500. You can read more about the proposal here.

Member Action Requested

Please contact your U.S. Representative and both U.S. Senators to urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R.7691. As a physician, your perspective on how workforce shortages impact patient wait times and health outcomes in Wisconsin is a powerful advocacy tool.

You can verify your U.S. House Rep. here; you are represented in the U.S. Senate by both Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Sen. Ron Johnson.

Wisconsin Congressional Delegation Contact Information

U.S. Senators

• Senator Tammy Baldwin: (202) 224-5653 | Contact Form
• Senator Ron Johnson: (202) 224-5323 | Contact Form

U.S. Representatives

• 1st District: Rep. Bryan Steil – (202) 225-3031 | Contact Form
• 2nd District: Rep. Mark Pocan – (202) 225-2906 | Contact Form
• 3rd District: Rep. Derrick Van Orden – (202) 225-5506 | Contact Form
• 4th District: Rep. Gwen Moore – (202) 225-4572 | Contact Form
• 5th District: Rep. Scott Fitzgerald – (202) 225-5101 | Contact Form
• 6th District: Rep. Glenn Grothman – (202) 225-2476 | Contact Form
• 7th District: Rep. Tom Tiffany – (202) 225-3365 | Contact Form
• 8th District: Rep. Tony Wied – (202) 225-5665 | Contact Form

Contact Wisconsin Medical Society Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD with any questions.

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Don't Forget to Vote! Election Day is Tuesday, April 7

Wisconsin's Spring Election is next Tuesday, April 7, and your vote matters. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. across the state. Not sure where to vote? Visit the Wisconsin Elections Commission MyVote Portal to look up your polling place, confirm your registration, and check your sample ballot.

What's on the Ballot: Wisconsin Supreme Court

The marquee race this spring is for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Incumbent Justice Rebecca Bradley chose not to seek re-election after serving on the court since October 2015. The winner will be elected to a 10-year term.

The two candidates for the state’s highest court are Maria S. Lazar and Chris Taylor. Wisconsin's Supreme Court elections are officially nonpartisan.

• Judge Maria S. Lazar — currently serves as a judge for District II of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. She was previously a judge on the Waukesha County Circuit Court from 2015 to 2021 and an assistant attorney general for the Wisconsin Department of Justice from 2010 to 2015. Read her Ballotpedia profile here.

• Judge Chris Taylor — currently serves as a judge for District IV of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. She was a judge on the Dane County Circuit Court from 2020 to 2023 and a Democratic state legislator from 2011 to 2020. Read her Ballotpedia profile here.

You can also review both candidates side by side on the Wisconsin Supreme Court Elections, 2026 page on Ballotpedia.

Election day is a good reminder that you can help the Wisconsin Medical Society’s (WisMed) advocacy efforts by contributing to WISMedPAC – WisMed’s physician-run political action committee – or creating/refreshing your own political contribution account, WISMedDIRECT. Political contributions are an important signal to candidates for elected office that physicians are paying attention to the electoral process and are willing to “walk the talk” by supporting candidates who support physician input toward wise health policy.

Contact WisMed’s Mark Grapentine, JD for more information or with any questions.

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Governor Evers Vetoes SB 405, Citing Interference with Physician Decision-Making

Wisconsin Medical Society successfully opposed legislation that would have expanded medical liability exposure for physicians

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers vetoed 2025 Senate Bill 405 in its entirety on March 31, blocking legislation that would have created a new civil cause of action against physicians and other care providers who perform gender transition procedures as defined in the bill.

The Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) was one of more than a dozen groups opposing SB 405 due to a combination of interference with the patient-physician relationship and creating a new civil liability cause of action for providing medical care.

In his veto message, Governor Evers emphasized his objection to "restricting medical professionals like physicians from providing evidence-based and medically appropriate care to their patients," and to "preventing patients from receiving that basic, life-saving care." He further noted that health care professionals should be trusted to deliver medically appropriate treatment "without the unnecessary political interference of politicians."

Contact WisMed Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD with any questions.

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WisMed Joins Other Health Care Leaders Reaffirming Commitment to AAP Childhood Immunization Schedule

The Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) has joined with fifteen other leading health care and public health organizations in reaffirming a commitment to routine childhood vaccination in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) immunization schedule – an important public signal of unified professional alignment at a moment of national scrutiny around vaccine policy.

The statement, released March 31, 2026, is cosigned by a broad coalition spanning academic medical centers, health systems, specialty societies, and state agencies – including the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians, the Wisconsin Chapter of the AAP, UW Health, Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, among others. The breadth of signatories signals a consistent clinical standard throughout Wisconsin.

Key Affirmations for Clinicians

The statement reinforces several positions directly relevant to practice:

• The AAP childhood and adolescent immunization schedule remains the standard of care in Wisconsin.
• Vaccine recommendations should be grounded in rigorous, transparent review of scientific evidence and informed by U.S. disease epidemiology.
• Clear, consistent guidance supports clinicians in delivering high-quality preventive care and helps protect children at their most vulnerable developmental windows.

The organizations also explicitly committed to engaging families in "open, respectful conversations about the benefits and risks of vaccination" – acknowledging the communication challenges many physicians face in practice today. Wisconsin physicians can point patients and families to the statement as a resource affirming local and statewide consensus. Continued adherence to the AAP schedule, paired with patient-centered communication, remains both the clinical standard and a shared professional commitment across the state's health care community. 

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

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Paving the Road for the Next Generation of Health Care Healers, Advocates, and Leaders

Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Foundation) staff were thrilled to attend the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) 36^th Annual Midwest Regional Conference on Saturday, March 14, 2026. This year’s theme was Raices De Fortaleza (Roots of Strength): Hands that Heal, Voices that Lead, and Roots that Endure. High school, undergraduate, pre-med, and current medical students across the region were encouraged to take part in networking, building connections, and vital learning from local physician leaders and panelists.

Throughout the weekend-long conference, attendees took part in hands-on learning including Harm Reduction Kit making and lifesaving emergency skill education. Attendees also heard lived experiences on topics such as “Overcoming Barriers: Nontraditional Paths to Medicine” and panels on various specialties lead by resident physicians. The Foundation attended alongside close partners including the Latino Health Council, and the conference provided a plethora of opportunities for aspiring health care professionals to explore mentorship support, funding opportunities, medical schools, and residency programs in the region. One student noted that in conversations they had over the course of the conference, they felt more confident re-attempting the MCAT and their outlook about applying to medical schools in the future was more positive after learning about the community of support and resources available. The energy of the conference was indicative of the wonderful community LMSA has fostered to unite and empower the next generation of medical students and professionals.

The Foundation deeply appreciated the opportunity to engage and share about the work that we do to make Wisconsin healthy for all and the resources we offer to students interested in pursuing health or medicine related careers, including volunteer and leadership opportunities, financial support, Step 1 & 2 and MCAT testing support, fellowships, and ways to become more involved in community. To learn more, please visit our Support for Medical Education page or reach out directly to Yoshie Wingate. Thank you to LMSA Midwest for having us!

If you would like to support the Foundation and our mission to increase health equity and access across the state, please donate to our Mission Fund. Your support goes a long way to encourage careers in health and medicine, uplift and retain a strong physician workforce in Wisconsin, and provide resources for the organizations and programs making a difference in our communities.

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Upcoming: Walk With a Doc at McKee Farms Park on Saturday, April 4

Join Karen Shulman, MD, for a Walk With a Doc on Saturday, April 4 at 9 a.m. at McKee Farms Park to learn about health and meet new people. April’s health talk will be about warning signs of heart attacks and stroke.

Feel free to bring a friend, your children, or your pets — everyone is welcome! Participants are encouraged to ask questions and walk at their own pace. It’s been great having participants of all ages.

You're invited to join us for Walk With a Doc the first Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. at McKee Farms Park, location made possible by sponsorship from YMCA Dane County, Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Foundation), Wisconsin Medical Society, and our wonderful physician leaders and clinics. You can pre-register here.

If you are interested in starting a Walk With a Doc program in your own community, or if you would like to participate as a physician speaker, please contact Yoshie Wingate for more information.

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Financial Minimalism: Why Physicians Should Prune Their Portfolios

As a physician, your career path likely involved moving from residency to fellowship to various health systems. Along that journey, it’s easy to accumulate a trail of "ghost" financial accounts—local bank accounts never closed or old retirement plans left behind. While having options feels like a win, managing too many accounts often leads to inefficiency. This is a case where less is more.

The Case for Consolidation

Meet the Olson family. Sarah is a physician at a local health system, and her husband, Mike, is a stay-at-home dad to their two young children. Before streamlining, their finances were a chaotic web: Sarah managed six different bank accounts, and Mike had four old Roth employer accounts.

By consolidating their assets into accounts with specific purposes, they ensured their money worked harder with less oversight. Here is how they structured their "minimalist" framework:

• The 403(b): Sarah maximizes her contributions to her employer’s 403(b) to capture the full matching contribution and has rolled her small 401(k) from residency into her current 403(b).
• The Backdoor Roth Strategy: Both Sarah and Mike contribute the yearly maximum to traditional IRAs, which are then converted to Roth IRAs. Despite having no earned income of his own, Mike qualifies for this because of Sarah’s income.
• The 457(b) Risk Assessment: Sarah chooses not to contribute to her non-governmental 457(b). Because these funds are technically available to her employer’s creditors, she prefers to avoid that extra layer of risk.

• Simplified Checking: They use one checking account through a local credit union for all monthly needs.
• Automated Wealth Building: On the first of each month, $2,000 is automatically transferred to a taxable brokerage account.
  • One-third stays in a money market fund for emergencies and large purchases.
  • Two-thirds are invested in stock funds for long-term growth.
• Health and Dependent Care: They utilize an HSA (Health Savings Account) for family medical expenses, which will also serves as a supplemental retirement vehicle after age 65. Additionally, they use a dependent care FSA (Flexible Spending Account) to cover daycare costs once a week.

• Education: Edvest 529 accounts receive regular contributions and grandparent gifts for the kids’ college funds.
• General Savings: Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) hold money for non-college goals, including the kids' chore earnings.
• The "Trump Accounts": The family has opened these accounts to ensure they don't miss out on potential external funding from philanthropists, though they do not currently contribute their own funds to them.

To maximize their impact, the Olsons use a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). Since they don't always meet the threshold to itemize deductions, they "bunch" their donations by funding the DAF every few years, allowing them to itemize and reduce their tax burden more effectively.

Final Thoughts

Physicians don't need more accounts; they need the correct accounts. By trimming the excess, you can move from managing paperwork to simplicity and effective finances.

For personalized help with your financial plan, please contact Mark Ziety, CFP®, AIF® 608.442.3750.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor or tax professional before making any financial decisions.

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Governor Evers Issues National Doctors’ Day Proclamation

Governor Tony Evers issued a proclamation declaring March 30, 2026 as National Doctors' Day in the state of Wisconsin. Doctors’ Day was created to celebrate and thank physicians for their work to improve the health and well-being of their patients and communities.

In the proclamation (accessible version), Gov. Evers used National Doctors’ Day as an opportunity for the state of Wisconsin and all Wisconsinites to express their “…deep gratitude to Wisconsin’s doctors and physicians for their unwavering dedication to building a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Wisconsin for all…”.

The Wisconsin Medical Society joins the state to share their appreciation for the dedication, skill, and unwavering commitment of physicians in providing high-quality health care to individuals and communities on Doctors’ Day and every day.

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Get Involved: Attend Your WisMed District or Section Meeting

Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) district and section annual meetings are underway, with several still being planned. These meetings are intended to provide information about Wisconsin Medical Society activities, discuss ideas for potential policy proposals to submit via WisMed's PolicyLink,* and conduct any district/section business, including the determination of representation on the Wisconsin Medical Society Board of Directors and Nominating Committee. This page will be updated with additional meeting information like time, location, and registration links, if applicable. You must be a Wisconsin Medical Society member to participate.

Please also register for Health & Harmony, the Wisconsin Medical Society’s medical education, Foundation fundraiser, and annual business meeting, which will be held May 1-2 at Madison Marriott West.

For more information contact Kelley Deibert. Click here to find your district and here for additional details about your meeting. 

• District 1 – April 14
• District 2 – April 23 via Zoom, click here to register
• District 3 – January 20
• District 4 – April 6 via Zoom, click here to register
• District 5 – April 9
• District 6 – TBD
• District 7 – March 10
• District 8 – April 22
• Student Section – May 2 during WisMed Annual Event, click here to register
• Resident/Fellow Section (RFS) – April 27
• Young Physician Section (YPS) – April 15 via Zoom, click here to register

*PolicyLink is a members-only resource and will require you to log in. For questions or assistance please contact [email protected].

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Important Changes Coming to National Government Services

National Government Services will begin operating as Wellpoint Federal on April 1, 2026. Click here for answers to frequently asked questions.

New Name, Same Trusted Partner

For decades, we have empowered federal health care agencies to improve lives and strengthen communities through outcome-driven innovation. That commitment remains unchanged. Our government partners, Medicare providers, and beneficiaries can continue to expect the same high-quality service you rely on today.

As Wellpoint Federal, our name reflects wellness, and our legacy reflects trust. Together, they define who we are: a proven federal partner with deep expertise, advancing the future of government health care as part of Elevance Health.

What Can You Expect?

While we embrace the opportunities of the Wellpoint Federal name, this change does not impact our team structure, service levels, or the operating model that has earned your trust for the past 60 years.

Beginning April 1, we will start adopting our new brand identity. During this transition, you may still see National Government Services referenced online or in existing printed materials.

There are no immediate changes to our provider portals, NGSConnex and NGSMedicare.com. We will provide updates as any changes are introduced throughout the year.

Together, we are committed to a seamless, well-coordinated transition, ensuring uninterrupted service, clear communication and continued operational excellence for our customers, providers, beneficiaries, and teams.

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