Wisconsin Health News

The Assembly signed off on raising the tobacco purchase age to 21 during a floor session on Thursday.

The federal government raised the age last year, but state and local law enforcement don't have the authority to enforce federal law.

States have to comply with the federal law or else risk losing funding on a block grant for mental health services that relies on compliance with the policy.

Lawmakers approved an amendment to the original bill striking the mention of the age 21 and instead referencing the age set by federal law.

Bill author Rep. John Spiros, R-Marshfield, said that would ensure that lawmakers won't have to modify state law if federal law changes again.

"By passing this bill, not only are we ensuring that Wisconsin does not lose federal funding, but we are also helping to stop the public health crisis in its tracks," Spiros said.

Rep. Jill Billings, D-La Crosse, offered an amendment voted down by Republicans that would provide $2 million for smoking cessation and education.

For some young adults who smoke, raising the age could cut off access to tobacco purchase, she said.

"We'll have a ton of people who are addicted, who have been smoking legally for years, who will need smoking cessation help," she said.

A coalition of health groups and educational groups applauded the chamber for taking action.

"Youth use of e-cigarettes is an epidemic,"” Brad Gast, member of the American Heart Association’s Advocacy Committee, said in a statement. “Once fully implemented, this legislation will help us curb youth usage of e-cigarettes and keep e-cigarettes and vaping out of our schools.” 

Lawmakers also approved legislation that would:

• Allow family farms and other small businesses to deduct the cost of health insurance from their income taxes. 
• Create a pilot program reimbursing hospitals in Barron, Burnett, Dunn, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix and Washburn counties for housing patients for emergency detention.
• Allow complementary and alternative healthcare providers to practice without having to obtain a credential as a healthcare provider.
• Provide grants for organizations like the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute's National Farm Medicine Center that retrofit tractors with roll bars that prevent life-threatening injuries in case a tractor rolls over.

The bills head to the Senate for consideration.

The Assembly also passed a bill that the Senate approved allowing law enforcement and firefighters diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder to submit workers’ compensation claims. They amended the plan to make additional changes to workers’ compensation law.

The Assembly also passed bills that the Senate has already green lit. Those bills now head to Gov. Tony Evers for his consideration. They would:

• Require the Department of Health Services to develop a plan to address diabetes in the state.
• Allow reimbursement for expenses incurred by patients participating in a clinical trial. 
• Update state law on training for respiratory therapists.
• Extend a licensure exemption for military physicians to include military nurses and physician assistants who come to the state as part of their duties.
• Require Medicaid to cover standing technology for power wheelchairs.