State Policy

WAFCA maintains strong relationships with, and serves as a resource to, state agency leaders, legislators, counties and coalitions throughout Wisconsin. In service to our members, we curate information that impacts the sector so that it's easier for them to stay informed, navigate shifts in policy, and take action. Below you will find current state updates, WAFCA advocacy priorities, and select resources. Consider membership if you are interested in becoming part of a network dedicated to improving policy and lives! 

May Updates

WAFCA Urges Budget Support for Youth Mental Health (Press release, 5.30.25)

WAFCA Support and Comments on Legislation to Improve Youth Mental Health Treatment and Access (Testimony, 5.27.25)

DHS Highlights Impact of Federal Budget Cuts on Wisconsin Medicaid Members. The current congressional budget process includes a proposed $880 billion in cuts to the federal budget, which threatens substantial impacts to Medicaid and other health programs. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has started to analyze how these cuts might impact Medicaid members and providers in our state, including shifting costs to Wisconsin, requiring cuts to our Medicaid budget, making services harder to access for working adults, and increasing costs to Wisconsin taxpayers. View the WI DHS news release.

Joint Finance Process Moves to Executive Action. Following their April statewide listening sessions, the Joint Finance Committee kicked off budget deliberations in early May by taking action to remove more than 600 items from the Governor’s budget. Extraction of these items does not preclude JFC from including them in their version of the state budget which they will craft over the next two months; however, these extractions can be seen as a signal regarding some of the priorities of legislative leaders. 

  • WAFCA priorities retained in the budget thus far include the following: increased funding for family resource centers, home visiting funding, school mental health grants, QTT grants, specialized residential funding and position authority for DSPS.

Medicaid Post-Partum Extension Passes State Senate. On a 32-1 vote, the State Senate passed 2025 SB 23 to extend Wisconsin’s Medicaid post-partum coverage from 60 days to 12 months. Action now moves to the Assembly where there continues to be strong bi-partisan support.

 2025-27 Biennial Budget

WAFCA Bills of Interest 2025-2026 Legislative Session 

 POLICY RESOURCES/COALITION PARTNERS

 WISCONSIN LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES

LATEST FROM WISCONSIN STATE AGENCIES