MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has announced that all Wisconsinites enrolled in BadgerCare Plus or another Medicaid program must renew their benefits by an assigned due date between June 2023 and May 2024. As of January 2023, over 1.6 million members are enrolled in BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid. Those individuals were receiving […]
Tag: Deb Standridge
Posted inGovernment, Local news, Parenting
Tobacco 21 is serious stuff – State pushes ID check for tobacco, vape sales
MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is serious about its new public education campaign. As the name “Tobacco 21” indicates, age 21 is the minimum legal sales age for tobacco and vape products – no matter what. Citing the Synar Surveys – a statewide assessment of the retailer violation rate for underage […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
DHS expands free COVID-19 testing program, 2 testing kits available each month
MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has expanded its free COVID-19 testing program. Each month, Wisconsinites are now eligible for two COVID-19 testing kits at no cost. Residents can place their orders through the Say Yes! COVID Test website. Households can place an order once per month; ordering reopens on the first of […]
Posted inHealth, Local news
Childcare, school immunization requirements for 2023-24 updated by Wisconsin DHS
MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has announced updates to its immunization requirements for children in childcare centers and schools. The new requirements include updated guidelines for meningitis and whooping cough immunizations, and documentation of previous chickenpox infection by a qualified medical professional. There are no changes to the existing exemptions for […]
Posted inCommunity, Government, Local news
Extra FoodShare benefits end for Wisconsinites in February 2023
MADISON — Wisconsinites will no longer receive the additional FoodShare benefits come February 2023. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, passed by Congress in late December, will end the federal program’s distribution of additional FoodShare funds that were enacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those enrolled in Wisconsin’s FoodShare program have been receiving the maximum amount […]
Posted inCommunity, CORONAVIRUS, Non-Profits
Wisconsin launches ‘Say Yes! COVID Test’ website: free tests available for ordering
The Say Yes! COVID Test website has officially launched as of Sept. 1, 2022. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has created these resources for Wisconsinites. It allows Wisconsin residents to get free at-home rapid COVID-19 tests delivered directly to them. Say Yes! COVID Test program The website allows people to place an order […]
Posted inGovernment, Health, Parenting, Schools
DHS Urges COVID-19 vaccination for a healthy 2022-2023 school year
The 2022-2023 school year is approaching for Wisconsinites. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) urges parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19. If your child has received their COVID-19 vaccines, it is important they stay up to date with their booster vaccines. This is crucial, even for students who will be attending […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS, Health, Local news
36,000 Pokes Later: Regency Mall COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Marks One-Year Anniversary
RACINE – Thursday marked the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Regency Mall, 5538 Durand Ave. The clinic is funded through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and operated by AMI Expeditionary Healthcare. It was established to help ensure the Racine County community had consistent and equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccines. “Our […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS, Local news
Wisconsin DHS ‘Pleased’: New COVID Drugs FDA Authorized
MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Deputy Secretary Deb Standridge said Thursday that she’s “pleased” to learn of U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization for two new medications to treat COVID-19. The FDA recently gave approval to Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s Molnupiravir, the first oral antiviral medications authorized for use […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
Department of Health Services Reminds Citizens of COVID-19 Testing Options
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is reminding citizens of the various ways to get tested for COVID-19. Wisconsinites can take advantage of going to local health departments and pharmacies to get tested as well as using over-the-counter rapid tests including free tests provided by the department. “We have to keep working together to fight […]