Legislation
sponsored by the WFDA to raise the statutory spending cap for a medical
assistance funeral cleared another legislative hurdle on Tuesday
despite opposition from the Wisconsin Cemetery Board (see the letter
below).
Assembly Bill 832 received a bi-partisan 5-1 vote (Rep.
Gottlieb voted no) in the Assembly Urban and Local Affairs Committee.
The Senate companion bill, Senate Bill 338, has already passed both the
Ethics Reform and Government Operations Committee and the Joint
Committee on Finance with unanimous support.
Both bills are now
available for scheduling for a final vote in their respective houses.
The legislature will reconvene next Tuesday, April 13 for its final
floor period as the 2010-11 legislative session draws to a close on
April 22.
Watch for future updates as we’ll need your help to
communicate with your legislators as these important pieces of
legislation are scheduled for floor votes.
To: Wisconsin Legislature
From: Wisconsin Cemetery Board
Re: Senate Bill 338 and Assembly Bill 832 Related to Funeral and Burial Expenses under the Funeral, Burial, and Cemetery Expenses Program
Dear Legislator,
On
behalf of the Wisconsin Cemetery Board, I write to you to express our
concerns regarding Senate Bill 338 and Assembly Bill 832 ("Bills,”
collectively). These bills propose to increase the amount that could
be privately spent with a funeral home for the funeral of a qualified
Medicaid recipient while preserving the $1500.00 reimbursement to those
recipient’s families.
Given the current economy, many
Wisconsin cemeteries are facing significant challenges in their ability
to properly maintain the cemetery. Our concern is that the Bills will
have an even greater negative impact on Wisconsin cemeteries and their
ability to maintain and operate the cemetery by giving a significant
advantage to funeral homes as it relates to providing goods and
services to families. Please note that in Wisconsin, if a cemetery
becomes neglected or abandoned, the cemetery becomes the responsibility
of the local government (i.e. taxpayers).
We believe that it
is in the best interest of both Wisconsin consumers and taxpayers to
avoid hindering the ability of cemeteries to remain financially healthy
and independent, and as such, any legislative action that has the
potential to cause cemeteries to be unable to provide proper care, now
and in the future, is ill advised.
To prevent such harm, we
request that both Bills either be amended to also raise the spending
cap for cemeteries or be rejected so that the status quo is retained.
Thank you for your consideration of our concerns.
Respectfully Submitted,
E. Glen Porter III, Chairperson Wisconsin Cemetery Board
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