Co-Chairs Criticize DHS For Lack of Plan, Transparency with Opioid Settlement Funds

Madison, WI – Today, Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) Co-Chairs Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) issued the following statement concerning the Department of Health Services’ (DHS) failure to maintain transparency and accountability in the opioid settlement plan:

“JFC stands ready to exercise its statutory authority to review and approve state expenditures and support an opioid settlement distribution plan to prevent overuse, treat dependence, and provide recovery services to those who need it most. Unfortunately, DHS and the Evers Administration are playing politics with these funds, and their lack of transparency and accountability is leaving vulnerable Wisconsinites behind.”

Pursuant to 2021 Wisconsin Act 57, which was signed by Governor Evers, DHS must submit its Opioid Settlement Plan to the Joint Committee on Finance for the next fiscal year (FY) by April 1 each year. More than six months late, DHS has not submitted a plan to JFC, will not disclose what is in the plan, and has almost no detail about the plan on its website. According to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB), Wisconsin is scheduled to receive about $15 million in opioid settlement funds this year.

“Wisconsinites want to know that money coming into Wisconsin is being spent in a responsible and transparent manner. Unfortunately, the lack of transparency, accountability, and timeliness from DHS only leads to more questions than answers. The data show that our investments in opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery are working. Why is DHS holding up these funds that could be used to help Wisconsinites?”

“The Joint Committee on Finance has acted promptly to approve the first three opioid settlement plans. By considering input from DHS, stakeholders, and the public, we have approved a plan that distributes funds across the continuum of care. We stand ready to do so again.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.