Wisconsin hospitals were recognized in the magazine Health Executive as a "top performer" based on recent reports that evaluated care at the state level. Most notably, the article mentions that in June, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) ranked Wisconsin number one in the nation for health care quality.

Wisconsin Hospital Association President Steve Brenton said, "We’ve got three things going on in this state that have allowed us to be a leader. We’re highly integrated compared to most of the country, there is a long history here of provider collaboration and we’ve had physician champions driving performance measurement and improvement.

According to the article’s author, those three keys have unlocked the door between what health care in American is and what it could be. "It’s a door Wisconsin is just beginning to step through, leading the way for the rest of the country to follow," according to writer Mike Sharkey, who authored the Health Executive article.

In addition to the AHRQ ranking, Wisconsin was rated ninth in the country in overall health system performance by The Commonwealth Fund.

Sharkey points out that Wisconsin hospitals are not just performing, they’re publicly reporting their results. That, said Brenton, truly has set Wisconsin health care apart from the rest of the country. WHA launched CheckPoint (www.wiCheckPoint.org) in 2004—the first quality reporting Web site in the country, with 98 percent of the hospitals reporting results on CheckPoint.

"It’s not just larger hospitals," Brenton said. "Half of our hospitals are critical access or rural hospitals, and they are all reporting on CheckPoint. Some of them struggle to have enough procedures to report, but they’re all committed and that’s critical," he added.

WHA works closely with MetaStar, Wisconsin’s quality improvement organization, to assist hospitals in meeting their quality and safety benchmarks. From the beginning, there was a strong commitment to "raise all boats" and improve the quality and safety in all Wisconsin hospitals.

"It is wonderful to see hospitals, some of whom are competitors, coming together in the same place to openly share the work they are doing," Greg Simmons, MetaStar president and CEO said in the article. "It speaks to the strong commitment of these hospitals to ensure they provide high quality, safe care to their patients," he said.

There is much work to be done, according to Brenton, who describes Wisconsin as being in the second inning of an extra-inning ball game.

"If that’s true, in most states, the first pitch has yet to be thrown," Sharkey concluded.

If you learned about a "no strings attached" investment opportunity that required you to invest $1, with an immediate return of $2.50, would you even think twice about passing it up?

Believe it or not, that’s what the state of Wisconsin did when lawmakers approved the new state budget last week. The Legislature took a pass on an incredible opportunity to address the underfunding of Medicaid by adopting the provider assessment.

The provider assessment is a tried and true funding mechanism that allows many other states to collect a payment from hospitals, send that revenue to the federal government, and secure matching funds that are returned to the hospitals in the form of increased Medicaid payments.

Hospitals have seen no increase in Medicaid reimbursement in 12 years, and during that time, our operating costs have risen dramatically. Statewide, Medicaid reimbursement covers only 48 percent of the actual costs of providing care. It is unacceptable to leave this issue unaddressed.

The assessment would have brought more than $400 million of new money into the state. Wisconsin deserves this money. We rank close to the bottom of the 50 states for the federal dollars we get to treat Medicaid patients, and this plan would have changed that.

Last year, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare was reimbursed $79 million less than what it cost to provide care to the Medicaid patients we treated.

That shortfall was inevitably cost-shifted to commercial payers, which results in higher health care costs for employers. If we had received improved funding, it would have had an impact on our price structure.

It’s not too late. Lawmakers need to reconsider this issue by introducing and passing separate legislation to enact the provider assessment now. Let’s all do the right thing this time and bring needed federal funds to our state.

To date, 611 individuals have contributed to the 2007 Campaign. This includes CEOs, employees, volunteers, and trustees affiliated with 102 health care organizations from around the state that together have contributed nearly $190,000. This accounts for 97 percent of the $195,000 fundraising campaign’s monetary goal, which if achieved, will be the highest annual total raised in the Campaign’s history.

Contributors by name and affiliated organization are published on a monthly basis and are listed below. Contributors are listed by contribution amount categories and in the order the contribution was received.

For more information, contact Jodi Bloch at 608-217-9508 or Jenny Boese at 608-274-1820.

Contributions Ranging from $1 - $249

Ayers, Mandy Wisconsin Hospital Association

Callies, Julie WHA Information Center

Reichert, Kevin Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Kruse, Joe Franciscan Skemp Healthcare-La Crosse

Gerke, Mary Lu Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center

Hiatt, Emily Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center

Schneider, David Langlade Memorial Hospital

Harm, Sandy Lakeview Medical Center

Coller, James St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center

Policello, Louise Bay Area Medical Center

Schamberg, Jay, MD Aurora Health Care

Bonnett, Joseph Beaver Dam Community Hospitals

Baker, David Saint Michael’s Hospital

Jelle, Laura St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Buss, Diane St. Mary’s Hospital

Prince, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Tierney, Mary Alice Aurora Health Care

Quade, Steve Door County Memorial Hospital

Anderson, Mary Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home

Marcouiller, Don Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Reinke, Kathy Shawano Medical Center

Walker, Troy St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Marsch, Jean St. Vincent Hospital

Myers, Robert Vernon Memorial Healthcare

Korff, Sally St. Nicholas Hospital

Werner, Andrea Bellin Memorial Hospital

Dettman, Amy Bellin Memorial Hospital

Adams, Daniel Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Hinz, Russ Aurora Health Care

Thompson, James Aurora Health Care

Casey, Candy Columbia Center

Heider, Lisa Community Memorial Hospital

Lindquist, Keith Cumberland Memorial Hospital

Klinge, Ann Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Santini, Kathy Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Tandberg, Christine Sacred Heart Hospital

Skifton, Russell Saint Michael’s Hospital

McCloskey, Lynne Saint Michael’s Hospital

Mickelson, Ronald St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Olson, Keri St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Elsen, Mary Pat St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Stelzer, Jason St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Watts, Susan St. Vincent Hospital

Bell, Kristine Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Bosio, David Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Burtch, Sue Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Hinker, Jennifer Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Thorpe, Marya Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Bliven, David Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Cohen, Joan Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Kopplin, Jean Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Murphy, Michael Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Tate, Marceline Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Arendt, Kathleen Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Bouvat, Dale Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Burgener, Jean Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Danner, Forrest Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Lucas, Roger Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Burgett, Lyle Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Drengler, Kathryn Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Scinto, Jeanne Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Sczygelski, Sidney Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Sullivan, Anne Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Rothfuss, James Meriter Hospital

Mohr, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital

Rodriguez, Debra St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Brenny, Terrence Stoughton Hospital Association

Bjork, Ted Westfields Hospital

Plaisance, Christopher Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Weiland, Sonja Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Cox, Tamarah Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Campbell-Kelz, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Dorpat, Denice Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Todd, Jeffrey Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Carrier-Diemer, Peggy Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Roundy, Ann Columbus Community Hospital

Waldoch, Timothy Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Borgstrom, Jim Memorial Health Center

Schraufnagel, Patricia Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Pinekenstein, Barbara Meriter Hospital

Bessen, Paulette Saint Michael’s Hospital

Misiewicz, Barbara St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior

Fochs, Mary Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Lakey, Sandy Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Maas, Pamela Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Ellis, Nancy Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Gengler, Tim Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Reider, Rodney Aurora Health Care

Roraff, Greg Memorial Health Center

Bush, Nan Bellin Memorial Hospital

Peters, Kenneth Bellin Memorial Hospital

Watson, Christopher Bellin Memorial Hospital

Fry, Robert Bellin Memorial Hospital

Rocheleau, John Bellin Memorial Hospital

Roethle, Linda Bellin Psychiatric Center

VanStraten, Randy Beloit Memorial Hospital

Trachte, Kathryn Saint Michael’s Hospital

DeWitt, Pamela St. Joseph’s Community Health Services

Coblentz, Kathy Jo St. Joseph’s Community Health Services

McCoic, Kristie St. Joseph’s Community Health Services

Lorenz, Bruce Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Gantner, Sue Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Erickson, Robert Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Cotone, Candace Cumberland Memorial Hospital

Pengra, Mary Sacred Heart Hospital

Bergeron, Brant Saint Michael’s Hospital

Jensema, Christine St. Nicholas Hospital

Pfaff, Stephanie Tri-County Memorial Hospital

Yunk, Dennis Agnesian HealthCare

Fulwiler, Terry Bellin Memorial Hospital

Maurer, Mary Holy Family Memorial Medical Center

Jacobsen, Joan Meriter Hospital

Bundner, Mark Meriter Hospital

Greene, Roxanne Our Lady of Victory Hospital

Facey, Alice St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Dwyer, Maxine St. Mary’s Hospital

Schaefer, Joyce Amery Regional Medical Center

Decker, Dawn Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Holmes, Sheri Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Jay, John Community Memorial Hospital

Tietz, Llewellyn Community Memorial Hospital

Twomey, Patrick Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home

Meicher, John St. Mary’s Hospital

Stenson, Jill Agnesian HealthCare

Raaum, Karl Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Bagemihl, Katherine Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Connell, Marilyn Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Neikirk, Jon Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Pandl, G. John Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Ragalie, Elizabeth Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Clapp, Nicole Grant Regional Health Center

Peickert, Barbara Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home

Herbert, William Meriter Hospital

Studer, Vince Shawano Medical Center

Sparks, Steven St. Mary’s Hospital

Ambs, Kathleen St. Mary’s Hospital

Dalebroux, Steve St. Mary’s Hospital

Schwoegler, Mary St. Mary’s Hospital

Taplin Statz, Linda St. Mary’s Hospital

Beglinger, Joan St. Mary’s Hospital

Halberslaben, Holly St. Mary’s Hospital

Marggi, Michele St. Mary’s Hospital

Rothenbuehler, Gary St. Mary’s Hospital

Leonard, Mary Kay St. Mary’s Hospital

Sauk, Michael

Rice, Jay Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee

Tate, Missy Agnesian HealthCare

Bellin, Carolyn Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Furlong, Marian Hudson Hospital

Evenson, Wendy Sacred Heart Hospital

Kowalkowski, Carolyn St. Joseph’s Hospital

Ott, Virginia St. Joseph’s Hospital

Giedd, Jan St. Joseph’s Hospital

Klay, Lois St. Joseph’s Hospital

Wynimko, Susan St. Joseph’s Hospital

Jablonske, William St. Joseph’s Hospital

Goodyear, Penny Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee

Baalrud, Laura St. Joseph’s Hospital

Fedie, Robin St. Joseph’s Hospital

Corradi, Frank St. Joseph’s Hospital

Fuchs, Thomas St. Joseph’s Hospital

Rubenzer, Deanne St. Joseph’s Hospital

Petersen, Susan Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Penovich, Carrie Aurora Health Care

Meyer, Markie Community Memorial Hospital

Churitch, Karen Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home

Lachecki, Theresa Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Ose, Peggy Riverview Hospital Association

McKay, Jean Sacred Heart Hospital

McKee-Ghalib, Paula Sacred Heart Hospital

Roshell, Diane Sacred Heart Hospital

Pittenger, Jeannie Sacred Heart Hospital

Ackerman, Jamie Sacred Heart Hospital

Albrecht, Linda Sacred Heart Hospital

Bauer, David Sacred Heart Hospital

Stack, John Sacred Heart Hospital

Stone, Stacy Sacred Heart Hospital

Axelsen, Kathern Sacred Heart Hospital

Block, Jennifer Sacred Heart Hospital

Bryans, Richard Sacred Heart Hospital

Carlson, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital

Danzinger, Marcia Sacred Heart Hospital

Gullicksrud, Lynn Sacred Heart Hospital

Johnson, Jean Sacred Heart Hospital

LuCore, Michael Sacred Heart Hospital

Mackey, Theresa Sacred Heart Hospital

McFarlane, Marge Sacred Heart Hospital

Nezworski, Joseph Sacred Heart Hospital

Nulsen, Kate Sacred Heart Hospital

Poquette, Jane Sacred Heart Hospital

Powell, Stacey Sacred Heart Hospital

Richbourg, Mary Sacred Heart Hospital

Segerstrom, Amy Sacred Heart Hospital

Sime, Wayne Sacred Heart Hospital

Skulan-Balmer, Anna Sacred Heart Hospital

Sprengeler, John Sacred Heart Hospital

Storing, Sandy Sacred Heart Hospital

Worthing, Kelli Sacred Heart Hospital

Wrobel, Roberta Sacred Heart Hospital

Hink, Dawn Sacred Heart Hospital

Pielhop, Judy Sacred Heart Hospital

Barkovich, Catherine Sacred Heart Hospital

Beckler, Rick Sacred Heart Hospital

Bloom, Deborah Sacred Heart Hospital

DeMars, Nancy Sacred Heart Hospital

Dwyer, Amy Sacred Heart Hospital

Folstad, John Sacred Heart Hospital

Johnson, Kimberly Sacred Heart Hospital

Leonard, Thomas Sacred Heart Hospital

Lien, Kristine Sacred Heart Hospital

LuCore, Patricia Sacred Heart Hospital

Ness, Nita Sacred Heart Hospital

Padilla, Gilbert Sacred Heart Hospital

Preston, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital

Schultz, Rebecca Sacred Heart Hospital

Spindler, Greg Sacred Heart Hospital

VanDeVoort, John Sacred Heart Hospital

Hon, Ronald Sacred Heart Hospital

Larson, Piper Sacred Heart Hospital

Palecek, Steve Sacred Heart Hospital

Peiffer, Susan Sacred Heart Hospital

Brunner, Pam Sacred Heart Hospital

Ganahl, John Sacred Heart Hospital

Gjolberg, Skip Sacred Heart Hospital

Hassemer, Robert Sacred Heart Hospital

Prock, Gail Sacred Heart Hospital

Galfano, Victor Sacred Heart Hospital

Huettl, Patty Sacred Heart Hospital

Kaiser, Ann Sacred Heart Hospital

Larson, Sondra Tri-County Memorial Hospital

Gormican, John Agnesian HealthCare

Mulder, Doris Beloit Memorial Hospital

Pollard, Dennis Community Memorial Hospital

Wilde, Nancy Community Memorial Hospital

Zorbini, John Community Memorial Hospital

Nelson, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital

Smith, Julie Sacred Heart Hospital

Sorenson, Heather Sacred Heart Hospital

Soward, Cindy Sacred Heart Hospital

Werlein, George Sacred Heart Hospital

Wise, Richard Sacred Heart Hospital

Schnell, Carol Sacred Heart Hospital

Sorenson, Jim Sacred Heart Hospital

Stai, Linda Sacred Heart Hospital

Anderson, Mark Sacred Heart Hospital

Schoff, Dennis Sacred Heart Hospital

Hedrington, Brian Sacred Heart Hospital

Schneck, Judy Sacred Heart Hospital

Zemaitis, Tom Sacred Heart Hospital

Aminpour, Ali Sacred Heart Hospital

Bowman, Andrew Sacred Heart Hospital

Flanagan, Tracy Sacred Heart Hospital

Piper, Barbara Sacred Heart Hospital

Schroeder, Larry Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital

Selberg, Heidi St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center

Hoege, Beverly Reedsburg Area Medical Center

Lange, Mark Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Lynch, Susan C. Franciscan Skemp Healthcare-La Crosse

Forman, Elizabeth Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Dagnon, Patricia Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital

Comerford, Angela Sacred Heart Hospital

Eady, Diane Sacred Heart Hospital

Friberg, Manny Sacred Heart Hospital

Hassel, Joy Sacred Heart Hospital

Helland, Robin Sacred Heart Hospital

Maxey, Rita Sacred Heart Hospital

Zamora, Nicole Sacred Heart Hospital

Olson, Bonnie Sacred Heart Hospital

Bergmann, Ann Spooner Health System

Busch, Rebecca Spooner Health System

Fenno, James St. Joseph’s Hospital

Oberweis, Rita St. Joseph’s Hospital

Larson, William St. Joseph’s Hospital

Smalley, Scott St. Joseph’s Hospital

Christianson, Roger St. Mary’s Hospital

Goffinet, Jo St. Mary’s Hospital

Hofer, John Bay Area Medical Center

Arriola, Josephine Sacred Heart Hospital

Gingras, Jeanne St. Joseph’s Hospital

Oberweis, Joseph St. Joseph’s Hospital

Rhodes, Roger Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee

Whiteaker, Les Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Clark, Dennis St. Joseph’s Hospital

Wulff, Gary St. Joseph’s Hospital

Marshall, Linda St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Reinke, John Bay Area Medical Center

Lerch, Shawn Columbus Community Hospital

Cranberg, Judith Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Harrop, Pauline Meriter Hospital

Cherrier, Lori Columbus Community Hospital

Berard, Celse Riverview Hospital Association

Lessing, Tim Columbus Community Hospital

VanPay, Christa Door County Memorial Hospital

Guffey, Kerra Meriter Hospital

Gruendler, Deirdre The Monroe Clinic

Tell, Marge Riverview Hospital Association

Schaetzl, Ron St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Hurt, Rhonda St. Joseph’s Hospital

Hayhoe, Glenna St. Joseph’s Hospital

Koehler, Robert St. Joseph’s Hospital

Johnson, Joanne St. Mary’s Hospital

Wilke, Julie The Monroe Clinic

Needham, Jean Westfields Hospital

Lopas, Mary Door County Memorial Hospital

Kwiesielewicz, Nancy Good Samaritan Health Center of Merrill

Gruber, Richard Mercy Health System

Chan, Wing Meriter Hospital

Possin, Charles Meriter Hospital

Westbrook, Diane River Falls Area Hospital

Nohelty, Peter Sacred Heart Hospital

Weiland, Theresa St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Horn, Diane St. Joseph’s Hospital

Pehlke, Joan St. Joseph’s Hospital

Melby, Shirley Tri-County Memorial Hospital

Lawson, Patricia Upland Hills Health

Lee, Teri Upland Hills Health

Wilson, Deanna Upland Hills Health

Heniff, Jean Wild Rose Community Memorial Hospital

Fish, Linda Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Andersen, Travis Calumet Medical Center

Holub, Gregory Door County Memorial Hospital

McKuen, Sandra Door County Memorial Hospital

Scieszinski, Robert Door County Memorial Hospital

Braun, James Flambeau Hospital

McGarigle, Kristine Good Samaritan Health Center of Merrill

Dittrich, Peggy Memorial Health Center

Tuttle, Kathryn Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Caven, Michael Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Brown, Janet Moundview Memorial Hospital and Clinics

Stellflue, Nancy Tri-County Memorial Hospital

Gamroth, Charlotte Tri-County Memorial Hospital

Helin, Michelle Upland Hills Health

McCarthy, Steven Upland Hills Health

Scheel, Vicki Upland Hills Health

Lyons, James Waukesha Memorial Hospital

Juckem, Elizabeth Columbia St. Mary’s-Milwaukee Campus

Harnisch, Betty Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

May, Carol Mercy Health System

Nowicki, Judy Ministry Health Care

Beehn, Holly Ministry Health Care

Klein, Joan Ministry Health Care

Olson, Kathryn M. Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Clark, Julie Ann St. Joseph’s Hospital

Appleton, Karl St. Vincent Hospital

Kehrberg, Mark, MD Affinity Health System

Tirado-Kellenberger, Norma Agnesian HealthCare

Marquardt, Amy Columbia St. Mary’s-Columbia Campus

Marnell, John Hudson Hospital

Halberg, Carole St. Mary’s Hospital

Pechan, Marlene St. Mary’s Hospital

Mary Brazys WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

Contributions Ranging from $250 - $499

Braddock, Michelle WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

Klauck, James Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Cryns, Janice Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Kinsella, Connie of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics

Groepper, Ron Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Joseph

Curran, Joan Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center

Bayer, Tom St. Vincent Hospital

Miller, Kimberly Beaver Dam Community Hospitals

Roller, Rachel Aurora Health Care

Iding, Laura Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Meyer, Miles Meriter Hospital

Baer, James Shawano Medical Center

Johnson, Charles St. Mary’s Hospital

Wilk, Leonard Aurora Sinai Medical Center

Carlson, Dan Bay Area Medical Center

Mantei, Mary Jo Bay Area Medical Center

VanCourt, Bernie Bay Area Medical Center

Grundstrom, David Flambeau Hospital

Klein, Jacqueline Lakeview Medical Center

Biros, Marilyn SSM Health Care-Wisconsin

Fields, Mary Aurora Health Care

Abels, Maya Aurora Health Care

Capstran, Barbara Aurora Health Care

Harding, Edward Columbus Community Hospital

Schroeder, Patricia Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital

Neet, Bradley Saint Michael’s Hospital

Hessert, Peter Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Nevers, Rick Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Olkowski, Leland Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Baker, Scott Aurora Health Care

Ulery, David Aurora Health Care

Schmidt, Kari Aurora Health Care

Arnett, E. Stuart Aurora Health Care-South Region

Svetlik, Joe Reedsburg Area Medical Center

Banzhaf, Elaine Waukesha Memorial Hospital

Rocole, Theresa Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints

Hammer, Michael Good Samaritan Health Center of Merrill

Lockhart, Jack, MD Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center

Dietsche, James Bellin Memorial Hospital

Peterson, Kimberly Bellin Memorial Hospital

Hiltunen, Mary Bellin Memorial Hospital

Woleske, Chris Bellin Psychiatric Center

Heifetz, Michael SSM Health Care-Wisconsin

Jones, Tom St. Joseph’s Community Health Services

Stuart, Philip Tomah Memorial Hospital

Johnson, Curtis Tri-County Memorial Hospital

Clough, Sheila Howard Young Medical Center

Keene, Kaaron Memorial Health Center

Kolb, Marvin O. West Allis Memorial Hospital

Peterson, Douglas Chippewa Valley Hospital and Oakview Care Center

Hansen, Robert Cumberland Memorial Hospital

Censky, Bill Holy Family Memorial Medical Center

Nockerts, Steven Richland Hospital

Deich, Faye Sacred Heart Hospital

Hyland, Carol Agnesian HealthCare

Kunferman, Deb Cumberland Memorial Hospital

Palagi, Richard Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital

McManmon, Kristin SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood

Baker, Chris St. Mary’s Hospital

Jensen, Russell St. Mary’s Hospital

Casanova, James St. Mary’s Hospital

Dallman, Michael

Lange, George, MD Westgate Medical Group, CSMCP

Sagan, Jean Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee

Schuster, Lynn Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee

Kluesner, Kevin Aurora Health Care-South Region

Krauklis, Gene Aurora Health Care-South Region

Levar, Jane Ministry Health Care

Schulz, Janet ProHealth Care

Kostroski, Sharon Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Sollenberger, Donna

Ballentine, Anne Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee

Boland, Susan Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints

Clark, Mary Ann Cumberland Memorial Hospital

Swiderski, Julie Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee

Peterson, Brenda Sacred Heart Hospital

Decker, Michael Divine Savior Healthcare

De Vita, Robert Ministry Health Care

Hilt, Monica Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals

Andritsch, Stacie Wheaton Franciscan Services, Inc.

Swift, Roberta Ministry Health Care

Erickson, William Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals

Spieckerman, Jill Sacred Heart-St. Mary’s Hospitals

Holmes, Sandra Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee

Blanchard, Michael Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Bestor, William Community Memorial Hospital

Navti, Abigail Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee

Tarantino, Jennifer Aurora Health Care

Hall, Brenda Ministry Health Care

Steevens, Alan St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Fowler, Rose Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints

Huber, Mark Aurora Health Care

Calhoun, William Mercy Medical Center, Oshkosh

Penczykowski, James St. Mary’s Hospital

Winegarden, Carol L. St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center

Mugan, James Agnesian HealthCare

Mourey, Gerald Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Worrick, Gerald Door County Memorial Hospital

Nick, Mary Meriter Hospital

Hoff, Linda Meriter Hospital

O’Keefe, Jim Mile Bluff Medical Center

Pennebecker, Allen Ministry Health Care

Hamilton, Mark

Staffileno, Gerri Columbia St. Mary’s Ozaukee Campus

Sanicola, Suzanne Columbia St. Mary’s-Columbia Campus

DeVetter, Roberta Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Pandl, Therese Columbia St. Mary’s-Milwaukee Campus

McNally, Maureen Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Ashenhurst, Karla Ministry Health Care

Meysembourg, Len Spooner Health System

Debbie Rickelman

Contributions Ranging from $500 - $999

Bloch, Jodi Wisconsin Hospital Association

Borgerding, Dana Wisconsin Hospital Association

Miloszewicz, Angela Wisconsin Hospital Association

Shabino, Charles, MD Wisconsin Hospital Association

Potter, Brian Wisconsin Hospital Association

Frank, Jennifer Wisconsin Hospital Association

Grasmick, Mary Kay Wisconsin Hospital Association

Richardson, Dana Wisconsin Hospital Association

Cutler, Dave WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

Rozenfeld, Jonathan St. Mary’s Hospital

Standridge, Debra Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Francis

Milakovich, Paul Aurora Health Care

Brandel, Patrick Holy Family Memorial Medical Center

Schafer, Michael Spooner Health System

Brannon, James Aurora Health Care

Bonk, Daniel Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Med. Ctr.

Morgan, Dwight Aurora Health Care

Teigen, Bobbe Aurora Medical Center - Manitowoc

Mlynarek, Robert Waukesha Memorial Hospital

Brophy, Michael Aurora Health Care

Grady, Glen Memorial Medical Center - Neillsville

Robertstad, John Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital

Buerstatte, Gary ProHealth Care

Brasseaux, Mary St. Nicholas Hospital

Kellar, Richard West Allis Memorial Hospital

Neufelder, Daniel Affinity Health System

Capelli, A.J. Aurora Health Care

Falvey, Patrick Aurora Health Care

Duncan, Larry Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Eddy, Lee Anne Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Gutzeit, Michael Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Jones, Michael Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Niemer, Margaret Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Radoszewski, Pat Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Reynolds, Sheila Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Ship, Mark Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Bezucha, Gary Boscobel Area Health Care

Woodward, James Meriter Hospital

Anderson, Sandy St. Clare Hospital and Health Services

Postler-Slattery, Diane Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Allison Stonebraker, Pat Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Shapiro, David Columbia St. Mary’s-Columbia Campus

Smith, Linda Aurora BayCare Medical Center

Kerwin, George Bellin Memorial Hospital

Korom, Nancy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Klawiter, Anne Southwest Health Center

McGee, Fred Meriter Hospital

Wilkerson, Terry

Runge, Charles Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Kryda, Michael, MD Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Schmidt, Michael Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Byrne, Frank, MD St. Mary’s Hospital

Zaher, Beth

Maxson-Cooper, Pamela Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Myers, Raymond St. Joseph’s Hospital

Meyer, Loren Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints

Blum, William Wheaton Franciscan Services, Inc.

Norton, Andrew Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Barnett, Jane

Bultema, Janice

Geboy, Scott

Ronstrom, Stephen Sacred Heart Hospital

O’Connell, Blaine Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Richards, Theresa Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Becker, Richard Community Memorial Hospital

Hymans, Daniel Memorial Medical Center - Ashland

Sachdeva, Ramesh Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Achenbach, Connie Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital

Sanders, Michael The Monroe Clinic

Little, Steven Agnesian HealthCare

Plantenberg, Thomas Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Kepchar, Dennis Ministry Health Care

Wallace, Michael Fort HealthCare

Fritsch, Phyllis Upland Hills Health

McCutcheon, Norma The Wisconsin Heart Hospital

Cardamone, Stephen Wheaton Franciscan - Milwaukee

Smith, David Wheaton Franciscan Services, Inc.

Contributions Ranging from $1000 - $1999

Leitch, Laura Wisconsin Hospital Association

Merline, Paul Wisconsin Hospital Association

Tyre, Scott Wisconsin Hospital Association

Boese, Jennifer Wisconsin Hospital Association

Stanford, Matthew Wisconsin Hospital Association

Bazan, Bill Wisconsin Hospital Association

Warmuth, Judith Wisconsin Hospital Association

Braddock, Jonathan WHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

Kachelski, Joe WHA Information Center

Gazzana, Thomas Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Canter, Richard Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Inc.

Nannis, Paul Aurora Health Care

Olson, David Bay Area Medical Center

Loftus, Philip Aurora Health Care

Nestor, Donald Aurora Health Care

Buettner, Susan Aurora Health Care

Devermann, Robert Aurora Medical Center of Oshkosh

O’Brien, Mary Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center

Starmann-Harrison, Mary SSM Health Care-Wisconsin

Erwin, Duane Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Kaufman, Nancy Aurora Health Care

Van Cleave, Bruce Aurora Health Care

Erickson, Lief Aurora Health Care-South Region

Wick, Timothy Burnett Medical Center

Koehler, Thomas Aurora BayCare Medical Center

Britton, Gregory Beloit Memorial Hospital

Johnson, George Reedsburg Area Medical Center

Anderson, Loren Aurora Health Care-South Region

Birkenstock, Timothy Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Dunigan, Thomas Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Karuschak, Michael Amery Regional Medical Center

Munson, Kenneth Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Derrig, Thomas, MD Aurora Health Care

Olson, Edward Waukesha Memorial Hospital

Fale, Robert Agnesian HealthCare

Westrick, Paul Columbia St. Mary’s-Milwaukee Campus

Bruce, Bill St. Joseph’s Community Health Services

Kosanovich, John Watertown Memorial Hospital

Eichman, Cynthia Our Lady of Victory Hospital

Petasnick, William Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

Eiler, Gary

Fish, David St. Joseph’s Hospital

Ganju, Badri Aurora Health Care

Martin, Jeff Ministry Health Care

Wachs, Jon Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Inc.

Kief, Brian Howard Young Medical Center

Johnsrud, Kimry Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - Elmbrook Memorial

Mohorek, Ronald Ministry Health Care

Wolf, Edward Lakeview Medical Center

Desien, Nicholas Ministry Health Care

Mattes, Dan Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - Milwaukee

Peter Kammer Essie Kammer Group

Contributions Ranging from $2000 - $2999

Brenton, Mary E. Wisconsin Hospital Association

Quinn, George Wisconsin Hospital Association

Buser, Kenneth Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints

Mahoney, Lorelle Aurora Health Care

Titus, Rexford ProHealth Care

Vice, Jon Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Ela, Susan Aurora Health Care

Brideau, Leo Columbia St. Mary’s-Columbia Campus

Johnson, Peter Aurora Health Care

Oliverio, John Wheaton Franciscan Services, Inc.

Contributions $3000 and up

Brenton, Stephen Wisconsin Hospital Association

Borgerding, Eric Wisconsin Hospital Association

Turkal, Nick Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center

Size, Tim Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative

Assembly Bill (AB) 224, which adds to current immunity protections for good faith reporting of possible law or standard of care violations, passed the full Assembly on a voice vote earlier this week.

Current law prohibits a health care facility or health care provider from taking or threatening to take disciplinary action against an employee of the facility or provider who, in good faith, reports a possible law or standard of care violation to specified individuals or entities. AB 224, from Representative Don Pridemore (R-Hartford) expands these protections to provide immunity from civil or criminal liability for the same reporting.

Included in the bill was an amendment proposed by WHA and offered by Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) that added immunity protections for reporting information to any prospective employer of an employee or former employee of a health care provider or facility information relating to allegations of violations.

Unfortunately, there have been instances where patients have been put at risk by individuals who have repeatedly violated clinical or ethical standards. By allowing the sharing of that information with prospective employers, without the fear of liability, patients will be protected and quality of care will be improved.

WHA supports this measure as a way to improve and enhance Wisconsin’s already nationally recognized high levels of patient safety and quality of care by encouraging the reporting of violations.

AB 224 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

There were two troublesome state budget outcomes that require WHA’s continued involvement. The first disappointment was the failure of the 2007-09 Budget to provide "meaningful" Medicaid payment increases for Wisconsin hospitals. The second disappointment was the IPFCF "transfer"—a decision that will lead to expensive litigation and higher liability premiums for Wisconsin physicians, hospitals and health care systems.

As it relates to Medicaid, the WHA Board’s position on Medicaid payment has been reaffirmed on several occasions since recommendations came to the Board from WHA’s Medicaid Task Force three years ago. That position articulated the necessary advance of "meaningful" Medicaid payment improvements in order to address a growing financial crisis for the state’s "safety net" hospitals and reduction of the statewide "hidden tax" on public and private payers burdened by rising costs of health insurance. The importance of advancing this legislative objective aligns with WHA’s Mission Statement and with the three core principles that frame WHA’s Strategic Plan (enabling consumerism, improving access and coverage, and promoting community accountability).

Related to that strategic plan, we strongly believe that WHA has an obligation to address the crisis that Medicaid underpayment has become for hospitals disproportionately hobbled by their geographic location and by their special missions to care for the medically indigent. Much like the financial crisis that threatened the survival of dozens of small and rural Wisconsin hospitals prior to enactment (and refinement) of the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) law(s), this is an issue that can no longer wait for others to solve. It’s been more than a decade since most Wisconsin hospitals received a "meaningful" Medicaid payment increase, and some hospitals have actually seen cuts totaling tens of millions of dollars during the last two budget cycles. During that time, the percent of cost reimbursed by MA has plummeted from 80 percent to 48 percent and the amount of dollars cost shifted to employers and employees as a result, has increased from $83 million/year to $566 million/year.

Although difficult to accept for many of us, it’s not hard to reach the conclusion that there will be no "meaningful" hospital Medicaid payment improvements absent a hospital tax anytime soon. That assessment is based on clear evidence that’s been piling up over recent years in Madison. The fact is, Medicaid provider payments financed with general revenue funds is not a bottom line priority for lawmakers.

If a provider tax is the only realistic opportunity for achieving "meaningful" Medicaid payment improvements in the near future, then the reworked "assessment" initiative we ended up with one month ago is a workable approach going forward. The fact that our revenue stream could always be "in play" in the future, despite safeguards gained in the revised proposal, will be a constant irritant that WHA will need to manage. But at the end of the day, the reworked assessment initiative represented the only real opportunity to address this decade long problem while capturing hundreds of millions of federal dollars that have been left on the table far too long. The WHA Board’s action on October 4 was a difficult but pragmatic decision that recognized the need to find a sustainable solution for funding major and meaningful Medicaid improvements going forward.

Governor Doyle has publicly suggested support for revisiting the assessment in the form of separate legislation. In the Senate, several prominent Democrats, including the new Majority Leader and the new Joint Finance Committee Chair, have also stated their interest in revisiting the issue. We recognize that it will be a challenge to move a hospital assessment through both houses, but we also believe that the prospect of another decade of inaction, while the "hidden tax" continues to grow, demands bipartisan attention and a real solution.

WHA must continue to work with all parties interested in finding sustainable solutions to our stated goal of enacting meaningful Medicaid payment increases that assist our "safety net" hospitals and reduce the "hidden tax" on health insurance premiums. The reworked hospital assessment initiative that served as the backdrop for the WHA Board’s position in early October should serve as the framework for WHA’s position going forward.

Steve Brenton,                 Eric Borgerding,
President                         Executive Vice President

On November 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) final rule for calendar year (CY) 2008.

The changes in this final rule represent the beginning of a shift in CMS’ overall approach to payment under the OPPS. CMS is moving away from "service-specific" payments by expanding the packaging of individual services into Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) groups and creating "encounter-based" APCs that will pay a single rate for a combination of specific services.

Major Provisions of the OPPS Final Rule Include:

Elimination of Certain APCs through Expanded Packaging of Ancillary Services: Currently, there are a number of services that are not paid separately, but are packaged into the APC rate for their related procedure or services. For CY 2008, CMS is looking to create more incentives for the efficient delivery of services and, hence, is expanding the number of services that will be packaged into larger APC groups. CMS is packaging payment for Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes associated with the following ancillary services:

• Guidance Services
• Image Processing Services
• Intraoperative Services
• Imaging Supervision and Interpretation Services
• Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals
• Contrast Agents
• Certain Observation Services (excluding instances where observation care is a major component of the encounter, see below)

This policy will be implemented in a budget neutral manner by redistributing outpatient dollars to all other services. While this does not result in immediate savings for the Medicare program, CMS believes elimination of separate payments for these procedures will reduce growth in the volume of services provided in the outpatient setting over the longer term.

Combining Certain APCs into New, Encounter-Based APCs: CMS is creating a new type of APC called a "Composite APC." These new APCs would differ significantly from the current APCs in that Composite APCs are encounter-based, and a single payment would be made when a certain combination of HCPCS codes are reported on the same date of service, rather than paying for individual services under service-specific APCs.

For CY 2008, CMS is establishing a total of five Composite APCs:

The seven measures CMS is requiring for the initial implementation of the HOP QDRP have been endorsed by the National Quality Forum (NQF) and include:

1) Emergency Department (ED) Transfer Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)-1 - Aspirin at Arrival
2) ED-AMI-2 - Median Time to Fibrinolysis
3) ED-AMI-3 - Fibrinolytic Therapy Received Within 30 Minutes of Arrival
4) ED-AMI-4 - Median Time to Electrocardiogram (ECG)
5) ED-AMI-5 - Median Time to Transfer for Primary PCI
6) PQRI #20 Perioperative Care: Timing of Antibiotic Prophylaxis
7) PQRI #21 Perioperative Care: Selection of Prophylactic Antibiotic

In the final rule, CMS responded favorably to comments from WHA and others by:

• Reducing the number of required reporting measures from ten to seven; deciding not to implement three of the proposed measures (related to heart failure, diabetes, and community-acquired pneumonia) in recognition of the burden placed on providers

• Delaying the deadline for submission of the Notice of Participation until January 31, 2008. The proposed rule had required submission by November 15, 2007

• Delaying both the collection and submission periods from the original proposal. Under the final rule, data collection will begin for services provided during the period April through June 2008 and must be submitted by November 1, 2008

• Not requiring validation of the HOP QDRP data for purposes of the CY 2009 payment update

Pharmacy Overhead: CMS had proposed that hospitals report their pharmacy overhead charges in separate billings in order to provide data for possible future payment changes. In the final rule, citing industry concerns over the administrative burden of this reporting requirement, CMS is not requiring separate billing for pharmacy overhead.

Marketbasket Update: The final rule provides a full marketbasket update of 3.3 percent. Including adjustments for budget neutrality, the conversion factor will increase by approximately 3.6 percent from $61.468 in CY 2007 to $63.694 in CY 2008.

Outlier Payments: The final rule will decrease the outlier fixed-dollar threshold from $1,825 in CY 2007 to $1,575 in CY 2008. Therefore, under the final rule, outlier payments will be provided when the cost of furnishing a service exceeds 1.75 times the APC payment amount and exceeds the APC payment rate plus a $1,575 fixed-dollar threshold.

Other Provisions: CMS finalized two changes to the Medicare requirements for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) that participate under a grandfathered "necessary provider" CAH designation.

• CMS will no longer permit a necessary provider CAH to enter into co-location arrangements with hospitals unless such arrangements were in effect on or before January 1, 2008 and the type and scope of services offered by the facility co-located with the necessary provider CAH do not change.

• CMS clarified that if a CAH operates a provider-based facility that was created after January 1, 2008, it must comply with the CAH distance requirement of a 35-mile drive to the nearest hospital (or 15 miles in the case of mountainous terrain or secondary roads). Rural health clinics are excluded from this requirement.

CMS finalized its proposal to require hospitals to complete and document Medicare patients’ medical histories and physical examinations conducted after admission and prior to surgery or a procedure requiring anesthesia services. CMS also will require post-anesthesia evaluations of patients before discharge or transfer from the post-anesthesia recovery area.

CMS also made several fiscal year (FY) 2008 IPPS changes in this rule.

• CMS included a correction notice for FY 2008 IPPS to reflect the reduction in the documentation and coding behavioral offset from 1.2 percent to 0.6 percent as required by P.L 110-90, which the president signed September 29. The rule contains the new standard payment amounts and the new outlier threshold of $22,185—a $275 reduction in the 2008 threshold.
• CMS also removed entirely the behavioral offset reduction from the hospital-specific rates for Sole Community Hospitals and Medicare Dependent Hospitals because the agency believes it lacks the legal authority to apply a documentation and coding adjustment to the hospital-specific rates.
• CMS, through an interim final rule with comment period, modified the regulations for emergency Medicare graduate medical education affiliated groups to provide continuing relief to home and host hospitals affected by disruptions in residency programs in the emergency areas declared after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The final OPPS rule also addresses changes to the final payment rules for Ambulatory Surgery Centers.

The final rule is scheduled to be published in the November 27 Federal Register. WHA will provide a detailed summary of the rule.

A display copy of the final rule and other information regarding OPPS is available online at www.cms.hhs.gov/HospitalOutpatientPPS/HORD/list.asp#TopOfPage.

CMS has also posted a press release on the final rule at www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp.

Reversing an earlier decision to seek new proposals from providers of nurse aide testing, the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) has informed the Testing Issues Workgroup that the contract with Promissor will be renewed. The group had been assembled by DQA to report and address issues relating to nurse aide training, testing programs and the Wisconsin nurse aide registry. The current contract with Promissor was initiated in 2002 and resulted in many concerns and complaints from members. Issues included location of testing sites, frequency of testing, quality of testing and timeliness of results. The Division, with input from the workgroup, has demanded improvements from Promissor in all the test-related processes. At this time, the Division believes that significant improvements have been made, to the degree that changing contractors would actually be more negative than continuing to work with Promissor.

The present contract is for five years with three possible one-year extensions. The contract has already been extended for one of those optional years, and DQA now intends to approve the other two. Department representatives have been clear that they want to hear of new or renewed concerns with Promissor and that they will continue to monitor Promissor’s performance.

The number of complaints and issues that WHA has received regarding Promissor has dropped off dramatically. If, however, you have concerns, contact Judy Warmuth, WHA’s vice president of workforce, at 608-274-1820.

A $2,000 grant to the Two Rivers Police Department was used to purchase roughly 500 gun locks, which officers distributed to the public in two separate events at Aurora Medical Center. Gun locks prevent accidental discharging of a firearm, yet only two in five gun owners lock their guns. Studies show that children are more likely to be killed by a loaded gun in their home than by an intruder, a sobering reality that catches people’s attention.

"Gun locks are extremely important, because an unlocked gun is a problem in the making," said David Hartman, captain of the Two Rivers Police Department. "Through Aurora we were able to get gun locks to give away to people and stop gun problems before they happen. It’s a very good program."

Of the 405 men screened for prostate cancer at a free event in May 2007 at Miller Park, nearly 15 percent had an abnormal PSA (prostate specific antigen) score and about 10 percent had an abnormal physical prostate exam. Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin, FOX 6, the Milwaukee Brewers and the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) sponsored the one-day event to emphasize the importance of early detection in surviving prostate cancer.

The participants received their test results in the mail several weeks after the screening. The NPCC conducts an extensive follow-up process with everyone whose test results are abnormal to ensure they seek care.

"We’re extremely pleased that so many men showed up for the event because early detection is the key to curing prostate cancer," said William See, MD, a prostate cancer specialist practicing at Froedtert Hospital and chairman of urologic surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin. "Many of the men we saw that day said they had never had a prostate exam before. These are exactly the people we want to reach."

The average age of the screening participants was 58. According to Dr. See, the risk of prostate cancer increases after age 50 for men in general, and for African-American men, the risk goes up after age 40.

The men received two tests: a blood test to measure the amount of PSA in the blood and a physical examination of the prostate gland. The screenings were conducted in 39-foot clinic vehicle operated by the National Prostate Cancer Coalition. Equipped just as a doctor’s office would be, the vehicle is custom-designed to provide health care to men in a comfortable, private environment. Screenings were free and confidential, performed by Medical College of Wisconsin physicians and other clinical experts from Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin.

The novelty of the baseball park venue, the Milwaukee Brewers’ strong performance this year and the lure of free Brewers’ tickets to each participant drew an unexpectedly large crowd. Many men waited in line for several hours, but there were few complaints.

"Everyone seemed to be in good spirits despite the long wait," said See. "Some of the guys said there was some real male bonding going on out there."

The final U.S. Department of Labor regulations issued October 23, 2007, approved a list of qualified default investment alternatives (QDIA). These investment alternatives may be used by plan sponsors who have adopted the automatic enrollment feature in their retirement plans.

Any QDIA selected for a plan must be managed by an investment manager, plan trustee, or plan sponsor who is a named fiduciary. The regulation clarifies that QDIAs can be offered through a variable annuity contract or other pooled collective trust funds. Plan fiduciaries are still liable for prudently selecting and monitoring QDIAs.

Safe harbor relief from fiduciary liability for investment outcomes is available to plan sponsors by satisfying several conditions. For a list of these conditions, read this month’s Solutions Spotlight, included in this week’s packet.