THE VALUED VOICE

WI Attorney General Speaks at WHA Southern Region Dinner

Schimel: WHA member and staff partnership essential to addressing key state issues

At a dinner with 40 WHA Southern Region hospital leaders and board members in Madison April 23, Lisa Schnedler, president/CEO at Upland Hills Health in Dodgeville and president of the WHA Southern Region, introduced the dinner’s guest speaker, Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel. In her opening remarks, Schnedler commended Schimel for his work on the award-winning “Dose of Reality” campaign and his willingness to partner with health care to address Wisconsin’s opioid abuse epidemic.

During his remarks, the Attorney General applauded hospitals and health systems for the contribution they make in their local communities and at a state level “… not just in providing great health care, the best in the country, but in partnering with our office and other parts of government to work on important issues.” Schimel noted health care leaders’ support in combating the opioid crisis, WHA’s advocacy in reforming Wisconsin’s emergency detention processes, and the importance of upholding the constitutionality of Wisconsin’s non-economic damages cap in medical liability cases.

Health care leaders in attendance were appreciative of progress made in emergency detention processes, but during the question and answer session noted there is still much work to be done to break down barriers and improve access to and reimbursement for mental health services in Wisconsin.