Senate Passes Schachtner Bill To Protect Interstate Medical Licensure

(MADISON) – Today the Senate passed bipartisan legislation co-authored by Senator Patty Schachtner (D-Somerset) to keep Wisconsin in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. The compact is a voluntary agreement to help expedite licensing for physicians wanting to practice in multiple states.

“It’s important that Wisconsin has enough physicians and health care professionals to meet our population’s growing health care needs,” said Senator Patty Schachtner (D-Somerset). “This bill ensures that physicians seeking to practice in Wisconsin will continue to have a streamlined process that protects patients and reduces red tape.”

The bill, Senate Bill 74, eliminates a sunset provision contained in the original legislation authorizing Wisconsin’s participation in the compact.  If approved by the Assembly, the bill will bring certainty to current and future physicians seeking to practice in Wisconsin. The proposal has bipartisan support in the Assembly and is co-sponsored by Representative Gae Magnafici (R-Dresser).

“Ultimately, this bill will help increase access to health care,” continued Schachtner (D-Somerset). “I hope the Assembly will take up this proposal and consider additional ways to connect more people to quality, affordable health care, perhaps through expanding Medicaid.”