WISCONSIN- Summer is almost upon us and extreme heat days are not far behind. Today the Department of Health Services is recognizing Heat Awareness Day and encouraging residents to be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and to take steps to prevent getting sick. In 2020, 689 people went to the emergency […]
Tag: Department of Health Services
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
New COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Moved Up to March 22
MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), on Tuesday, moved up by one week the date that residents with certain medical conditions will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. So, the start date, which had been March 29, is now next Monday (March 22). The next eligibility group includes individuals age 16 […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
State COVID Vaccine Map Appears Full of Inaccuracies
By Robert Chappell The vaccine provider map the Department of Health Services announced today seems rife with errors, based on a small survey of providers listed. Several reporters across the state reached out to providers listed as having vaccine available for all eligible people, and found that nearly half were not, in fact, offering vaccines, […]
Posted inGovernment, Local news
Nearly 60,000 Wisconsinites Get Covered during First Three Weeks of Open Enrollment through Healthcare.gov
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today, with Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance Mark Afable and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm, announced that between Nov. 1 and Nov. 21, 57,558 Wisconsinites enrolled in a healthcare plan for 2021 through the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Health Insurance Exchange on Healthcare.gov. Wisconsinites can still enroll through […]
Posted inGovernment, Local news
DHS Launches Multimedia Campaign Encouraging Wisconsinites to Enter Health Care Field
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), and Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced today the launch of WisHealth Careers, a multimedia campaign to encourage Wisconsinites across the state to enter the health care field. “Our ability to fight COVID-19 depends on having a robust workforce caring for […]
Posted inLocal news, Schools
CUEA Sends Letter to Governor Evers, Superintendent Taylor, Secretary Palm: Act now to keep our students and workers safe
In a letter sent Monday, the elected presidents of educators’ unions in Green Bay, Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, and Racine urged Governor Tony Evers, State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor and Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm to act quickly to ensure the safety of Wisconsin’s public school students and workers. The letter: Dear Governor Evers, […]
Posted inGovernment, Local news
Update on Pandemic EBT Benefits
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is committed to ensuring families have the resources to provide nutritious food for their children during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, Wisconsin applied for and was awarded federal funding to provide temporary food benefits to families with children who normally receive free or reduced price school meals […]
Posted inGovernment, Local news
Department of Health Services Urges Residents to Stay Home Ahead of July 4th Weekend
The Department of Health Services urges Wisconsin residents to stay home and follow best public health practices during the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. Wisconsin has seen a recent surge in cases with half of all positive cases coming within the past five weeks. Nearly 20% of total COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin have tested positive […]
Posted inHealth and Fitness
Fight the Bite! Take Action to Prevent Tick and Mosquito Bites
With the unofficial start of summer behind us, many Wisconsin residents are looking ahead to warmer weather and all the resources our state has to offer. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has launched a statewide campaign to help everyone Fight the Bite and avoid tick and mosquito bites this season. Many people find […]
Posted inCommunity
Food Assistance programs continue through federal government shutdown
Despite the federal government shutdown, Wisconsin residents receiving food assistance will receive their February benefits, according to the Department of Health Services (DHS). “During this time of uncertainty, Wisconsin residents should be assured that FoodShare, WIC, and other federally funded food assistance programs will continue uninterrupted through February,” said DHS Secretary-Designee Andrea Palm. “Our top priority […]
Posted inPolice and fire
State Changes How Doctors Can Prescribe Pain Medications
New state guidelines went into effect this month around how doctors can prescribe pain medications are now in place to combat abuse and heroin addiction. The changes come on the heels of Gov. Scott Walker issueing a public health advisory in the fall to combat what has been deemed as an “escalating opioid epidemic,” has […]
Posted inBreaking
EDITORIAL: Ascension Needs To Inform Community Of Mental Health Changes
Ascension–All Saints, formerly Wheaton Franciscan–All Saints, has cut staff, restricted admission for its mental health unit, closed the Psychiatric Intensive Care unit and kids partial hospital, and slashed its inpatient bed counts in an effort to “reset” the unit. But they failed to communicate those changes to the community at a time when those services are […]
