From the daily archives:

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Democrats introduce new legislation aimed at improving health insurance for those with mental issues.

Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), the lead Senate author of the Wisconsin Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act, says mental illnesses and drug and alcohol addictions should be treated just like physical ailments.

“I’m cosponsoring this legislation because I believe that requiring the equal treatment of mental and physical disorders is in the best interest of all employees and all the employers of this state.”

The Green Bay Democrat says too often, those who need it forego treatment simply because they can’t afford it. His bill would make vital treatment more accessible and affordable, but not mandatory. Hansen says business and government would benefit from employees’ increased productivity and cost savings associated with early diagnosis and treatment.

“But more than that, current laws that allow for the inequitable treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders are nothing more than legalized discrimination.” [click to continue…]

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DATCP calls payday loans ‘predatory’

by Bob Hague 10/7/09 3:37 PM

The head of Wisconsin’s consumer protection agency says payday loans are ‘predatory.’ Testifying at the Capitol on bills to regulate the industry, Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection administrator Janet Jenkins compared payday loans to sub-prime mortgage lending.
“That type of lending was called predatory lending, and in the opinion of the department, payday lending [...]

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National ethanol experiment has Wisconsin roots

by Brian Moon 10/7/09 12:02 PM

Kids across the country today are “fueling up” with a Wisconsin process. Hundreds of thousands of students are participating in “Biofuel Blast,” an ethanol making experiment, which teaches how cellulose and sugars in plants can be converted into fuel. The process was designed in conjunction with UW-Madison Extension and Wisconsin 4-H.
The day is part of an [...]

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Why liquor but not beer?

by WRN Contributor 10/7/09 11:44 AM

State Representative Terese Berceau (D-Madison) is questioning why lawmakers support raising the tax on liquor but not beer. Wisconsin’s tax on hard liquor would go up 50-cents a liter, under a plan approved by the state Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday. The panel wants revenue generated to help fund tougher drunk driving laws.
Berceau says it “doesn’t [...]

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Health care workers recieving H1N1 priority

by Bob Hague 10/7/09 11:00 AM

For now, health care workers have priority, when it comes getting the H1N1 vaccine. State Health Officer, Dr. Seth Foldy, said the month of September saw a higher than normal number of flu cases confirmed, in 48 of the state’s 72 counties.
AUDIO: Dr. Seth Foldy (:12 MP3)
Foldy told the Assembly Committee that nearly all of [...]

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