Department of Health Services

Federal Rules and Market Dominance Drove WI’s Baby Formula Shortage

Wisconsin contracts only with Abbott Nutrition, whose recall and plant shutdown jolted the market.

Here’s What To Know About COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children

Public health officials, pediatricians encourage vaccinations for children six months old and up.

Wisconsin Has First Case of Monkeypox

400 cases in U.S. so far, but state health officials say risk to public remains low.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Identifies the First Case of Monkeypox in a Wisconsin Resident

Risk to the general public remains low

State Supreme Court Says Natural Resources Board Member Can Stay

Legislature won't okay Evers appointee to replace Fred Prehn so Prehn won’t step down.

ReadyWisconsin encourages safe celebrations this Independence Day weekend

Wisconsin SeniorCare Program to Cover Vaccines Provided at Pharmacies

New benefit will increase senior access to vaccines

Gov. Evers Announces State Building Commission Approves $71 Million Projects Across Wisconsin

Projects include funding for the design of a new Wisconsin Historical Society Museum, new UW Madison Engineering Building, expansion of critical health care resources, and building improvements to improve safety, reduce energy usage and carbon emissions

State Begins Vaccines For Youngest People

Children aged 6 months to 5 now eligible, as COVID-19 continues to spread across state.

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for Everyone Age 6 Months and Older

Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines authorized for children 6 months through 5 years

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake’s Statement on CDC’s COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine Recommendations and Expansion to Children Under Age 5

Wisconsin gets first ever standards for PFAS as EPA warns the “forever chemicals” pose far greater risk than once thought

Coggs Building Could Be Razed

New analysis finds razing and then constructing new building the most feasible redevelopment option.

Abortions Can Save Mothers’ Lives

Abortions can be medically necessary when pregnancies cause life-threatening complications.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

High Court Okays Release of COVID-19 Workplace Data

Health officials can identify employers having outbreaks, WI Supreme Court rules.

‘Tangled Series’ of Abortion Laws Since 1849

Wisconsin has had many laws passed on abortion which could cause confusion if Roe overturned.

Women of Color Would Be Most Impacted by Roe Reversal

Planned Parenthood data shows majority of abortions in Milwaukee County went to women of color.

Gov. Evers Announces $22 Million Investment to Expand Programs, Fund Emergency Response Initiatives

Investments will support fire station construction and expansion projects, testing sites and EMS projects

DHS Ditching Coggs Center For Northwest Side

Plus: A recap of the week's real estate news

Rep. Deb Andraca Ran To Change Gun Laws

Recent mass shootings a reminder that gun control laws have gone nowhere in Wisconsin.

DHS Updates COVID-19 Illness After Vaccination Page to Include Data by Booster Dose Status

Data continue to show staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines protects against severe illness and death due to COVID-19

Gov. Evers Signs Order Prohibiting Infant Formula Price Gouging Amid Nationwide Shortage

Governor declares a period of abnormal economic disruption to help protect parents against predatory pricing

DNR Planning New E. Coli Regulations

State business lobby concerned DNR will consider stricter PFAS standards too.

Pandemic Benefits for Kids Under 6 Approved

Federal Pre-6 Pandemic program gives more FoodShare funding to 90,500 children in state.

WI Health Department Urges Booster Shots for Ages 5 to 11

Following guidance of CDC, which is expanding recommendations for 2nd booster shot.

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses to Everyone 5 and Older

Children ages 5-11 now eligible for a booster dose

What You Need to Know About Infant Formula Shortage

What’s causing shortage, where to find supplies, how to keep your family safe.

Gwen Moore Bill Adds Doulas, Midwives to Medicaid

Mamas First Act would require state Medicaid programs to cover doula, midwife services.

DHS Provides Tips for Families During National Infant Formula Shortage

State Program Plans to Recruit, Train 3,000 New CNAs

Long-term care facilities face a shortage of workers. New nursing assistants would recieve on the job training.

State’s COVID-19 Cases Up 66% in May

Racine and Kenosha among 7 counties with highest rates, residents urged to wear masks at indoor events.

DNR Awarded $2 Million To Assess Brownfields

DHS Announces the Moving Forward Together Grant Program to Support Health Equity Efforts in COVID-19 Vaccinations

Wisconsin Joins National Effort to Grow and Retain Health Care Workforce

Multiple states collaborate to address worker shortages

State Has About 6,400 Abortions Per Year

State’s rate per live births, just half that of the nation, may reflect restrictive laws.

Gov. Evers, Evers Administration Cabinet Take ‘Cabinet on the Road’ to Western Wisconsin

Gov. Tony Evers, together with members of his cabinet, hosted ‘Cabinet on the Road’ events in Osseo, Altoona, Menomonie, and Eau Claire.

COVID-19 Antibody Study Seeks Volunteers of Color

Study seeks to assess levels of immunity and extent of COVID-19 infection in local communities.

Are COVID-19 Vaccines Still Free? Yes

Questions and answers on vaccines, including where to get them.

iCare adds Julie Strenn to Board of Directors

Life-Saving COVID-19 Treatments Available Throughout Wisconsin

Over 480 pharmacies can fill oral COVID-19 antiviral prescriptions across the state

Other Vaccinations For Kids Have Declined

Since pandemic state falling behind in vaccinations for measles, mumps, diphtheria, etc.

State’s COVID-19 Cases Tripled in Last Month

Hospitalizations still low but numbers ‘concerning,’ and only 61% in state fully vaccinated.

Wisconsin Receives USDA Approval to Provide Food Benefits in July for Children Under Six Not Enrolled in School

Marinette PFAS Cleanup Could Begin This Summer

PFAS polluters Johnson Controls and Tyco building system to clean up forever chemicals.

COVID-19 Rising Again in State

Numbers still “relatively low,” but percentage of positive tests doubled in last three weeks.

Evers Vetoes Another 22 GOP Bills

On MPS, voucher schools and parental bill of rights. That makes 126 vetoes this session.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

DHS Makes Changes to COVID-19 Data Webpages

Updates make data easier to find, align with CDC Community Levels as a tool to keep you safe and healthy

PCB Contamination Found At Rochester Park In Sheboygan Falls

Judge Rules DNR Can’t Regulate PFAS

State agency lacks authority, Waukesha judge rules. Environmental advocates plan appeal.

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

Virtual Listening Sessions Taking Place April 20

Evers Vetoes 43 GOP Proposals

Killing Republican bills on guns, election changes, COVID-19, but does sign 35 other bills.

Gov. Evers Takes Action on 78 Bills

Wisconsin Poultry Shows, Exhibitions Suspended Due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Proposal to Extend Medicaid Coverage for Postpartum Individuals Open for Public Comment

Federal government approval would extend coverage from 60 to 90 days

Report Details Opioid Addiction Solutions

After listening sessions, WI Department of Health Services recommends expanded treatment and attention to root causes.

Gov. Evers and DHS Recognize State Workers and Interagency Cooperation for PPE Distribution in Wisconsin

Launch of coordinated effort delivered more than 80 million pieces of PPE statewide, continues as part of ongoing preparedness and response planning

DHS Supports Second COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose for Adults 50 Years and Older and Certain Immunocompromised Individuals

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Strain Confirmed In Wisconsin’s Wild Bird Populations

Gov. Evers Announces $5 Million Investment to Expand Access to Telehealth Services

COVID-19 Levels Still Going Down

Weekly new cases of COVID-19 continue to drop.

Peshtigo Residents Seek Superfund Designation for PFAS Pollution

Residents send petition to EPA after two of six city wells shut down for high PFAS levels.

Lead Program Investigation Closed Without Criminal Charges

But investigation confirms program was mismanaged.

19 Precautions Before, During, and After Spring Break Travels

A few simple steps will help keep people safe and protect others

COVID-19 Downward Trends Continue

But wastewater sampling is showing an uptick in the amount of virus present.

Changes Coming to Medicaid Enrollment

Recipients can sign up for alerts to changes in their insurance plans.

Gov. Evers Signs 10 Bills to Promote Public Safety, Support Crime Victims and Survivors

Health Officials Urge Flu Shots After Child Deaths

Three children recently died from influenza. Less than 40% of state has received flu vaccine.

Gov. Evers Signs Three Bills in La Crosse to Help Address Substance Use and Overdose Deaths in Wisconsin

Wastewater Tests Show Uptick in COVID-19

Too early to tell but increases found in several cities, including Milwaukee.

‘You Are Heroes,’ Evers Tells Workers

Governor kicks off statewide tour to thank health and front-line workers who helped battle pandemic.

Boys & Girls Clubs Announce State Youth of the Year

Boys & Girls Clubs Announce State Youth of the Year

DHS Urges FoodShare Members to Protect Themselves from Fraud

State High Court To Rule On Local Health Orders

WILL suit charges Dane County health director had no power to issue orders combatting COVID-19.

Testing Kids For Lead Poisoning Declined During Pandemic

25% reduction in lead tests in state compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Gov. Evers Announces Additional Security Pay Program for State Employees

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce 154 Wisconsin National Guard Members Completed CNA Training Course Since January

Provide update on administration’s efforts to support hospital and nursing home capacit

Fentanyl Drives Record Overdoses in 2021

Milwaukee County Medical Examiner reported 643 drug overdoses in 2021.

Families with Children Who Did Not Receive Free or Reduced Price Meals at School Due to COVID-19 Will Receive Food Benefits

Wisconsin issues first round of benefits through the 2021-2022 School P-EBT Program

How Gov. Evers Responded to Pandemic

It will be an issue in the election: A review of his record shows a very active governor.

Infant Formula Recall Worries Parents

Questions and answers, health concerns after recall of Similac, Alimentum and EleCare.

Republicans Restrict Right To Vote

Ramming through 5 bills making it harder to vote and hog tying nonpartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Wellpoint Care Network to Champion COVID-19 Vaccination Outreach, Host Clinic Events at Capitol Drive Campus

$65,000 grant brings critical vaccination access to underserved segment of city

Democrats Push Badger Care Public Option

Bill to expand Medicaid coverage, increase access to health care unlikely to pass.

Natural Resources Board Opts For Weaker PFAS Limits

Department of Health Services recommended stricter limits than those passed by board.

DHS Updates Vaccination Coverage Dashboard to Include Booster and Additional Dose Data

New metrics show coverage by county and demographics

NRB takes modest step to protect families from PFAS contamination, leaves out rural Wisconsinites

DHS Awards $3.4 Million in Community Outreach Grants to Promote Equity in COVID-19 Vaccinations

City Has Most Cases of Syphilis in 20 Years

441 cases in 2021 versus 183 in 2020. Especially affecting women of child-bearing age.

DHS to Request 30-day Extension of Medicaid Coverage for Women After Pregnancy

Federal government’s approval would increase coverage from 60 to 90 days

State’s First Death From MIS-C Reported

Wisconsin has had 183 cases of rare inflammatory condition associated with COVID-19.

Assembly Passes Unemployment, Medicaid Restrictions

One proposal limits access to unemployment insurance when the unemployment rate is low.

First Death from Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with COVID-19 Reported in Wisconsin

Kaul, Planned Parenthood Oppose Abortion Ban

GOP bill almost identical to restrictive 6-week abortion ban passed in Texas.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of former State Sen. Joseph S. Leean

DHS and Wisconsin Pediatricians Say Now is the Time to Catch Kids Up on Vaccines and Well-Child Visits

Wausau Wells Have Elevated PFAS Levels

All six city wells exceed the proposed state standards.

GOP Election Bills Are Far Reaching

Restricting absentee voting, more power for Legislature, nursing home employees could face prison.

Will Lincoln Hills Youth Prison Finally Close?

And at what cost? Legislature debates the issue anew.