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Wisconsin REALTORS Association
— This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Nadine Allen, chief quality officer for the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
Allen discusses the latest hospital quality ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency’s findings for Wisconsin, and efforts to continually improve care across the state. These ratings capture a wide array of data, covering factors such as mortality, safety, readmissions, the patient experience, and timely and effective care.
While not all hospitals have enough cases to get a rating, 77 of Wisconsin’s 158 hospitals made the cut, Allen noted.
Along with an overview of the statistics included in the CMS report, Allen shares her perspective on how Wisconsin compares to other states in the region.
“We also lead the Midwest, so if we take a snapshot of our six closest neighboring states, we are No. 1 for the percent of five-star hospitals as well as the number of five-star hospitals,” she said.
Allen also highlights WHA’s CheckPoint data tool, which provides public information on care quality measures in the state, enabling comparisons between specific hospitals and other insights.
“We pride ourselves and we build upon the strong relationships with our hospital leaders, so we listen closely to their challenges, we celebrate their successes with them — because that’s also super important,” she said.
Listen to the podcast, sponsored by UW-Madison:
https://soundcloud.com/wispolitics/wisbusiness-the-podcast-with-nadine-allen-wisconsin-hospital-association
— The Joint Legislative Audit Committee co-chairs blasted the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. after a review found the agency gave grants to ineligible recipients and failed to revoke tax credits.
Committee Co-chairs Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay, and Rep. Robert Wittke, R-Racine, in a statement pointed to the audit as evidence the agency is falling short of expectations to create and retain jobs. The Legislative Audit Bureau found WEDC gave five grants totaling $50,000 in federal funds to ineligible recipients and failed to require eight other grant recipients to repay $64,300 in federal funds after the recipients failed to comply with their contracts.
Wimberger slammed WEDC for what he called a failure to “execute meaningful change.”
“There is no excuse,” he added.
WEDC Secretary Missy Hughes in a letter responding to the audit said her agency will provide a plan to address the concerns by Dec. 6.
“WEDC is dedicated to robust program administration, including the creation and maintenance of program guidelines and procedures,” the letter reads. “LAB’s identification of potential improvements and clarifications helps WEDC in this effort.”
LAB made 26 recommendations, such as:
*determine every six months the remaining balance and the total amount of past-due repayments for all loans 90 days or more past due;
*determine the payment delinquency rate and the principal delinquency rate on the first and last day of each six-month period;
*require five recipients to repay a total of $50,000 in Main Street Bounceback grants that were awarded contrary to U.S. Treasury guidance and then return the repaid funds to Department of Administration;
*require eight recipients to repay $64,300 identified in its verification efforts of programs supported by supplemental federal funds and return the repaid funds to the DOA; and
*annually determine and document in one location how individual programs are expected to help achieve the organization-wide goals.
The audit also found WEDC did not revoke $2.6 million in tax credits from recipients who did not meet contractual obligations. LAB also pointed out WEDC could start posting its meeting minutes and agendas on its website to be more transparent with the public.
Wittke said the committee will keep an eye on WEDC to make sure it corrects the issues.
“When organizations like the WEDC are lax in their adherence to statutory requirements and policies, it is the role of legislative oversight to demand improvement. The Audit Committee will continue to be attentive to the work of the WEDC, particularly as they recover COVID-era misallocated funds,” Wittke said.
See the LAB audit report:
https://legis.wisconsin.gov/lab/media/3626/23-11full_994676.pdf
See the co-chairs’ statement:
https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/sen-wimberger-rep-wittke-audit-highlights-longstanding-issues-at-wedc/
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Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
TOP HEADLINES
Waukesha County leaders voice support for American Family Field funding
https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2023/08/31/waukesha-county-leaders-voice-support-amfam-field.html
Wisconsin lobbies to become tech hub for advanced medicine, jobs
https://captimes.com/news/government/wisconsin-lobbies-to-become-tech-hub-for-advanced-medicine-jobs/article_f7ecc4b7-7e7e-5142-9947-b3289c78cb73.html
Southwest pilots to picket nationwide as contract talks continue
https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2023/08/31/southwest-pilots-picket-airport-contract-talks.html
WisBusiness sponsors
 Madison Gas & Electric |
 Wisconsin Technology Council |
STORY TOPICS
AGRIBUSINESS ^top^
– Wisconsin farmers brace for crop damage
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=807&yr=2023
CONSTRUCTION ^top^
– Inflation, interest rates aren’t stopping $180M Saukville project from Ansay, Three Leaf Partners
https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2023/08/31/inflation-interest-180m-saukville-ansay-three-leaf.html
EDUCATION ^top^
– After 17 years, UW-La Crosse chancellor announces plans to step down
https://www.wpr.org/uw-la-crosse-chancellor-jow-gow-announces-retirement
ENVIRONMENT ^top^
– Bayfield farm launches new tree species made to clean pollution, thrive in Midwest
https://www.wpr.org/bayfield-farm-launches-new-tree-species-made-clean-pollution-thrive-midwest
HEALTH CARE ^top^
– A highly mutated COVID-19 strain, has infectious disease experts worried. It’s not been found in Wisconsin – yet.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/health/2023/08/30/what-to-know-about-the-new-covid-19-variant-wisconsin-impact/70709696007/
MANUFACTURING ^top^
– California manufacturer files lawsuit against Generac for alleged breach of contract
https://biztimes.com/california-manufacturer-files-lawsuit-against-generac-for-alleged-breach-of-contract/
POLITICS ^top^
– Wisconsin taxpayers on the hook for up to $2 million in legal fees to defend GOP-drawn election maps
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2023/08/31/taxpayers-could-pay-2-million-in-legal-fees-to-defend-gop-drawn-maps/70719398007/
REAL ESTATE ^top^
– Industrial redevelopment planned for former Kohl’s office space
https://biztimes.com/industrial-redevelopment-planned-for-former-kohls-office-space/
SMALL BUSINESS ^top^
– A Door County institution, Renard’s is expanding under third generation cheesemaker Chris Renard
https://www.jsonline.com/story/life/food/fork-spoon-life/2023/08/31/renards-door-county-sturgeon-bay-is-expanding-under-third-generation-cheesemaker-chris-renard/70677397007/
TECHNOLOGY ^top^
– Wisconsin business leaders form consortium seeking regional tech hub designation, funding
https://biztimes.com/wisconsin-business-leaders-form-consortium-seeking-regional-tech-hub-designation-funding/
TRANSPORTATION ^top^
– Evers approves bridge repair project in Chippewa County, Damaged girder on bridge carrying County OO over northbound US 53 to be replaced
https://www.weau.com/2023/08/29/governor-evers-approves-bridge-repair-project-chippewa-county/
COLUMNS ^top^
– Bruce Murphy: State’s Top CEOs Got Rich in 2022, Top pay: $43 million for Harley’s CEO Zeitz. Top pay in U.S.: Google exec’s $225 million!
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2023/08/30/murphys-law-states-top-ceos-got-rich
PRESS RELEASES ^top^
See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/
Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation: SATD presents a dynamic three-part series to enhance training and development strategies
UW-Madison: Ranked second among public universities by Washington Monthly
