Department of Health Services

Gov. Evers Takes Action on 17 Bills

Report Highlights Plan to Address Drinking Water Contaminants

99% of public drinking water systems met standards in 2022, but PFAS, lead remain problematic.

Need someone to talk to? Call UpliftWI

New phone service offers peer support statewide

1.4 Million Wisconsin Residents Need To Reapply For Medicaid, Will They?

As of June, more than one-third had not initiated the renewal process. Real test comes at end of summer.

Problems Abound With Access To FoodShare Program After Changes

People wait on hold, only to be hung up on when office closes.

West Allis Fire Department Offering Medication to Prevent Overdoses

Will offer people buprenorphine, approved by FDA to treat opioid use disorders.

Many in Wisconsin Losing Medicaid Coverage

39,000 recipients found ineligible in June, first month of transition from pandemic rules.

State’s 988 Crisis Line a Success

In first year after its launch, 91,000 calls to mental health crisis line, up by 74%.

988 Wisconsin Lifeline Marks First Anniversary

Wisconsinites can call, text, and chat for free, 24/7 mental health and substance use support

UWM is a partner in a new CDC national center for wastewater surveillance

Second Round of Grants for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Exceeds $12 Million; Total Funding Reaches $30 Million

90 organizations will receive funding, many with a focus on crucial transportation enhancements

Additional Grants Awarded to Help Reduce Disparities in Behavioral Health Care System

Equity and inclusion trainings to be offered to service providers

Study Finds Maternal Death Rate Rose in Last 20 Years

Highest increase in Wisconsin was for Native American and Hispanic mothers.

Wisconsin Officials Urge Fireworks Safety On Fourth of July

Dry conditions call for more caution, state fire officials stress.

DHS Announces Expansion of Harm Reduction Efforts

New funding for public health vending machines aimed at preventing or reversing overdose

Wildfire Smoke Prompts Heath Warnings, Calls for Climate Action

'We cannot accept this as our new normal.'

Multi-Day Air Quality Advisory Issued

Most Significant Impact This Season Across All Of Wisconsin

‘They Die So Quickly’ From Fentanyl

50 times more potent than heroin, causing more than 1,000 overdose deaths per year in Wisconsin.

DHS Launches Independent Living Supports Pilot Program

New effort explores ways to support Wisconsinites living at home longer, for better health outcomes

Troubled Apartment Complex Paying Tenants To End Leases

DNR won't let tenants return to Community Within the Corridor for several months.

WEC Mails Postcards to Inactive Voters

Despite Legal Gay Marriage, Wisconsin Laws Still Centered On Husband and Wife

From birth certificates to court documents, same-sex parents have concerns.

DHS Reminds Medicaid Members to Submit Renewals on Time

Members with June renewals should submit by June 16 to avoid gaps in coverage

DHS Awards Funding to 14 Nonprofit Dental Clinics

$5.1 million to increase access to dental care for Wisconsinites in need

GOP Legislators Block Changes To Childhood Vaccination Rules

Move prevents Wisconsin Department of Health Services from updating rules related to chicken pox and meningitis.

Missing Ventilators Restart Fight Over Federal Funds Oversight

Auditors found some COVID-19 supplies missing, triggering debate about who should control aid dollars.

Over 100 Hospitals Push Legislature to Hike Medicaid Funding

Citing state budget surplus as 'historic opportunity' to increase reimbursement rate.

DHS Releases New Reports on Infant Deaths in Wisconsin

DHS Releases New Reports on Infant Deaths in Wisconsin

Bipartisan Bill Gives Suicide Prevention Grants to Gun Shops

'We lost 888 Wisconsinites last year to suicide,' says Rep. Jesse James.

Dr. T Confirmed As Health Commissioner

Michael Totoraitis is the new leader of city health department.

Bill Targets Hospital Pricing Transparency

Sen. Mary Felzkowski leads GOP proposal focused on creating "shoppable services."

New PFAS Fish Consumption Advisory For Green Bay And Associated Tributaries

Elevated Levels Of PFAS Found In Rainbow Smelt

Evers Calls GOP Cuts to Mental Health Services ‘Foolishness’

$235 million for school mental health services one of 545 proposals cut from his budget.

New Toolkit Available To Help Local Leaders Address PFAS Contamination In Drinking Water

State Awards For $8 Million Opioid Addiction

Milwaukee County could potentially double previous record for overdose deaths.

New Health Commissioner Wins Key Approval

Michael Totoraitis says he's commited to providing long-term, strategic leadership.

DHS Honors State Health Care Providers With the “Wisconsin BigShot” Awards

Annual recognition celebrates providers leading the way in protecting children’s health

DHS Details End of Emergency COVID-19 Response

COVID-19 prevention and precaution remain a priority as response programs transition

DHS Awards $8 million for Opioid and Stimulant Treatment Service

Tribal nation and county agencies to use funding from the State Opioid Response Grant Program to support local needs

Celebrate Earth Day With The Wisconsin DNR

Fewer Kids Are Getting Tested For Lead Than Before Pandemic

17% decline across Wisconsin since 2019.

Drug Take Back Day is April 22

April 19, 2023

Mayor Names New Health Commissioner

Michael Totoraitis will lead department, subject to council confirmation.

DNR Seeking Public Input On PFAS Contamination In Marinette, Peshtigo And Surrounding Communities

In-Person Listening Sessions May 3, 2023

Gov. Evers Declares State of Emergency Due to Elevated Flooding Concerns

Researchers Find BadgerCare Changes Would Worsen Care, Violate Federal Law

Advocates for proposal say it would combat fraud.

New Bills Would Make It Easier to Lose “Welfare Benefits”

After statewide referendum, Legislature debating eight bills that would expedite removal of Medicaid and unemployment benefits.

Audit Finds Millions of Medicare Funding Unclaimed By Wisconsin

Republican legislators call for tighter oversight by state departments.

DHS Awards $10 Million to Construction Projects for Opioid Treatment and Recovery Support Services

New and renovated buildings to provide much needed space for women with opioid use disorder

Gov. Evers Takes Action on Two Bills

State Could Prosecute Community Within Corridor Developers

But questions remain about the timeline. Plus: A recap of the week's real estate news.

Wisconsin DNR Statement On Community Within The Corridor

Bipartisan Support For Extending Medicaid Benefits For Postpartum Mothers

Approximately 50 post-partum deaths annually that the Wisconsin health department believes are preventable.

DHS Submits Plan to Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance on How to Use $8 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds

Money is part of the $400 million award the state receives annually from settlements with pharmaceutical companies

New Milwaukee Apartment Building Closed For Health Emergency

Community Within The Corridor has high levels of dangerous chemical, many residents forced to leave.

Advocates Concerned About Growing Shortage of Psychiatrists

Suicide rate spiking in Wisconsin. Psychiatrist shortage in at least 55 of 72 counties.

Bipartisan Bill Would Extend Postpartum Medicaid Coverage

Would extend coverage from 60 days to one year to improve infant and maternal health.

Milwaukee Health Department Announces Upcoming Changes to COVID-19 Services

Republicans Holding Confirmation Hearings For Gov. Evers’ New Appointees

Agriculture, DNR secretaries get hearings, a marked change from Evers' last term.

Food Pantries Brace For Surge With Federal Program Ending

Federal SNAP emergency allotments end this month.

DHS Investigating FoodShare Benefits Scam

Patient Safety Concerns Raised About New Granite Hills Hospital

The facility is a psychiatric hospital contracted by Milwaukee County.

Republicans Again Block Student Vaccine Requirements

Legislative body blocks Department of Health Services rules regarding meningitis and chickenpox.

Wisconsin’s Medicaid Program Starts to Resume Routine Operations

BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid members should update contact information if it has changed to ensure they get benefit renewal instructions

DATCP Reminds Poultry Owners of Increasing Threat of Avian Influenza

New Milwaukee Office Building Would Be Public-Private Partnership

State pivots from original plan to build its own facility at 27th and Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Gets $2.5 Million In JUUL Settlement

E-cigarette maker was sued more than 5,000 times for its youth-focused marketing.

Gov. Evers, DHS Awards $1 million in Grants to Help Reduce Disparities in Behavioral Health Care System

Equity and inclusion trainings to be offered to service providers

Republican Legislators May Suspend Vaccine Requirements

Committee may suspend DHS rules for students on chickenpox, meningitis.

Local Officials Hope Lawsuit Settlement Funds Can Reduce Drug Overdoses

644 overdose deaths in county in 2021. 'We're finally getting some resources.'

What BadgerCare Recipients Need to Know

You need to reapply for coverage. How to prepare for and/or get help.

Wisconsin Sees Spike in Toxic Shock Syndrome Cases

State officials urge education about tampon use.

$175,000 Settlement For Violent 2018 Arrest

Demetrious Lowe alleges police beat him after knocking him to the ground during mental health episode.

Revitalize Milwaukee Plots Major Expansion

Home-repair organization adding lead abatement, energy efficiency improvements and more.

DHS Expands Free COVID-19 Testing Program

Wisconsinites can order two free COVID-19 self-test kits every month

Dan Kelly Makes His Case for High Court

'Where do our rights come from?' asks former state Supreme Court justice. 'God!'

New Multimedia Campaign Focuses on 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Statewide advertising planned through 2023 to increase awareness of the service.

DHS Monitoring Increase in Toxic Shock Syndrome Cases

State sees largest number of reported cases in over 10 years

Big Numbers Drive Budget Decisions

Which 5 programs account for 84% of state budget? And when was the beer tax last increased?

State’s Younger Adults Dying at Higher Rates

Mortality rate up 137% for those aged 30-34 since 2001, while the rate declined for seniors.

State’s ACA Insurance Exchange Enrollment Up This Year

Nationally new record set, with 12% increase, up to 16.3 million people enrolled.

DNR Study Finds Densest City Areas 10 Degrees Hotter in Summer

Fewer trees and green spaces, more asphalt, concrete make heart of Milwaukee hotter.

Governor’s Health Equity Council Releases Full Report

Report details recommendations aimed to achieve long-lasting and equitable health outcomes for all Wisconsinites

WDVA Secretary-designee Bond Announces Leadership Team

DHS Seeks Ideas for $8 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds

Survey results will help prioritize how to best address opioid use disorder

Gov. Evers: State of Mental Health “Burgeoning Crisis”

Governor declares 2023 the Year of Mental Health

Multiple State Agencies Responding To PFAS Contamination In Town Of Stella

New PFAS Fish Consumption Advisory Issued For Lake Wausau And Stevens Point Flowage

Elevated Levels of PFAS Found In Several Fish Species

Study Finds High Level of ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Great Lakes Fish

Eating 1 freshwater fish a year similar to drinking PFOS-contaminated water for a month.

DHS Urges Wisconsinites to Test Their Homes for Radon

Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall and leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers

After 4 Years, 180 Appointees by Gov. Evers Haven’t Been Confirmed

Republican Senate leaves them in limbo. 'Tell me what I need to do,' Ever says.

2022 Roundup: Gov. Evers Highlights 2022 Accomplishments

Gov. Evers Launches Housing Program to Support Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and Opioid Use Disorders

New Recovery Voucher Program will use Opioid Settlement Funds for affordable, safe, stable housing

2022 Roundup: Gov. Evers Completes 2022 72-County Tour of Wisconsin

Wisconsin Seeking Federal Help For Town With PFAS Contamination 170 Times Safe Levels

“We don't really have an idea where it's coming from,” says DNR official.

Senator Baldwin Secures Over $255 Million for Wisconsin in Senate Appropriations Legislation

Projects championed by Senator Baldwin were included in Fiscal Year 2023 bipartisan bill

DHS Confirms Pediatric Influenza-Associated Death in Wisconsin

Encourages everyone six months and older to get the influenza (flu) vaccine

Many Counties Charge Patients for Birth Costs Covered by Medicaid

Milwaukee County collected $69.2 million. Report criticizes this practice.

Many Residents Unaware State Moved Out of Coggs Center

Individuals keep showing up at old location for FoodShare, other benefits.

DNR Will Again Attempt To Draft PFAS Groundwater Standards

DNR board approved drinking and surface water standards in February, but failed to pass limits for groundwater.