Note: The information below is not current but is made available here for research purposes for interested parties to access. In the summer of 2002, set against the backdrop of steep double digit increases in health insurance premiums, the McCallum administration held a series of listening sessions around Wisconsin to gather information from local businesses, large and small, about what they were doing to hold down the health care costs for their employees. The goal was to assemble a list of "best practices" that could be used to share with other businesses who also have difficulties with high health insurance premiums. The six sessions were held in Green Bay, Milwaukee, Wausau, Superior, La Crosse, and Eau Claire. The final report was issued in January of 2003.

Governor Scott McCallum is holding a series of Health Care Listening Sessions around the state to hear firsthand what information the state can provide to consumers and employers to help them maximize their health care dollar. Escalating health care costs and problems with health care accessibility has necessitated the series of summer listening sessions around the state.

"Health care costs are placing an overwhelming burden on Wisconsin families, businesses and communities," Gov. McCallum said. "Employees are seeing their wages stunted and employers are struggling to maintain their bottom line. Meanwhile, some residents have difficulty getting the health care services they need. Wisconsin has long been known as a laboratory for change. It's time to gather our best ideas and act on them."

Connie O'Connell, Commissioner of Insurance, and, Phyllis Dubé, Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Services, will lead the sessions in five locations around the state. The first session was held on June 24 in Milwaukee. The next session will be July 22, 2002, in Green Bay at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. The address and directions are listed below. Dates and locations for the other sessions are pending. The listening sessions will include national experts on health care data collection and testimony from employers highlighting best practices in addressing costs. In addition, public testimony will be invited and written testimony will be accepted for those who cannot stay.

These sessions will help answer the two most often asked questions: What information can the State of Wisconsin provide to employers and consumers about health care in Wisconsin? and What are employers doing to continue to provide benefits to their employees?

Please check back to this site frequently as updates occur. For more information please contact Jim Guidry, OCI at (608) 264-6239; email jim.guidry@oci.state.wi.us. or Gary Radloff, DHFS, (608) 266-3262

UW Milwaukee to Host Governor's Health Care Listening Session (OCI news release)
Governor's Health Care Listening Session Set for Green Bay (OCI news release)
Governor Announces August Health Care Listening Sessions (OCI news release)
Governor Announces Final Health Care Listening Sessions (OCI news release)

Session 1

June 24, 1:30 p.m.
UW Milwaukee, Sandburg Halls
3400 N. Maryland Ave.
Milwaukee, WI

Governor's Executive Order Creating WEHL Council (pdf)

WEHL Initiative

Session 1 Written Testimony

Presentation: (pdf)
UAW/DaimlerChrysler
Kenosha Community Health Care Initiative
Ken Johnson, Co-Director UAW
Geoffrey Schick, Co-Director DC

Session 2

July 22, 3:00 p.m.
UW Green Bay
University Union, Phoenix Rooms
2400 Nicolet Dr.
Green Bay, WI

Session 2 Written Testimony

Presentation: (pdf)
Thrivent Financial For Lutherans
Peg McEwen

Session 3

Wednesday, August 21, 3:00 p.m.
UW Superior
Rothwell Student Center Ballroom
Corner of Belknap and Catlin
Superior, WI

Session 3 Written Testimony

Session 4

Wednesday, August 28, 3:00 p.m.
University of Wisconsin Marathon Campus
Main Building/Theatre, Room 133
518 S. 7th Ave.
Wausau, Wisconsin

Session 4 Written Testimony

Presentation: (pdf)
The Central Wisconsin(Marshfield) Healthy Lifestyles Coalition
William L. Washington, MD, MHA

Presentation: (pdf)
Health Care Cost Crisis: State Government’s Role
John Smylie
Chief Administrative Officer
Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc.

Presentation: (pdf)
Touchpoint Health Plan

Presentation: (pdf)
Solutions to Rising Healthcare Costs
Keeping Employees Healthy
Deb Seyler
Wellness Council of Wisconsin

Session 5

Monday, September 23, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
University of Wisconsin La Crosse Campus
Cartwright Center, Room 339
1741 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601

Session 5 Written Testimony

Session 6

Tuesday, September 24, 3:00-5:00 p.m
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Auditorium Rom 103
620 West Clairemont Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701

Session 6 Written Testimony

Final Report of the Governor's Health Care Listening Sessions (pdf)