Valued Voice

With the Wisconsin State Assembly adjourned and the State Senate set to adjourn by March 19, WHA is continuing its push to get Assembly Bill 598, the "Next-of-Kin" legislation across the finish line. Earlier this week, WHA activated its HEAT network, urging its grassroots hospital supporters to contact their State Senators. The message was clear: bring the legislation to Senate floor before the session adjourns, so it can move to Governor Evers’ desk to be signed. WHA is encouraging all members to respond to the most recent HEAT alert if they have not already done so.

Assembly Bill 598 would allow incapacitated family members' next-of-kin to help them gain access to post-acute care without requiring lengthy and expensive guardianship hearings. It will also help hospitals free up hospital beds by clearing up hospital bottlenecks created by the current process. This important legislation passed the State Assembly on February 19 with broad bipartisan support. WHA is continuing to press this issue with just a few weeks left before lawmakers adjourn for the end of session.

Nearly 1,100 hospital advocates gathered in Madison last week for WHA's 2026 Advocacy Day, with the majority of those gathered also participating in meetings with their legislators at the State Capitol. Assembly Bill 598 was a top issue hospital supporters highlighted in their meetings with lawmakers.

WHA's HEAT program makes it easy for hospital supporters to get up-to-date information on key hospital priorities so they can make their voice heard by their state and federal lawmakers. Visit WHA's HEAT action center to learn more, sign up for the program and respond to the most current alert.