Senator Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) issued a statement on May 14, 2024, regarding recent allegations of political manipulation concerning the HSHS crisis and the $15 million available for local healthcare providers.
Smith criticized Senate Republicans such as Senator Jesse James (R-Altoona), accusing them of avoiding public scrutiny. He stated, “Senate Republicans like Senator Jesse James are scared to face the public. Cutting off debate today over the HSHS closure crisis proves they can’t justify their lies. Instead of simply releasing the money, they want to use the crisis as a political football while our communities suffer.”
He further criticized his Republican colleagues for passing a bill without intending to release the funds. He said, “Republicans shouldn’t even have bothered to pass the bill if they weren’t serious about releasing the money.”
Despite disagreements over details, Smith affirmed that funding is currently available due to bipartisan efforts. However, he accused Republicans of unnecessary political maneuvering, stating that “We are inches away from having $15 million available, but Republicans wanted to travel a mile-long political gauntlet to come back to where we are at today.”
Smith also provided a recap of how the $15 million was passed into law:
• Republicans secretly introduced legislation without asking for Democratic co-sponsors.
• Republicans rejected amendments to target the funding to what health care providers requested.
• Republicans restricted use of the funds, so Governor Evers vetoed the restrictions and signed the $15 million into law.
• Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee have rejected two calls from the Governor to release the already approved $15 million.
• Senate Republicans cut off debate and voted to override the Governor’s veto while still refusing to release the $15 million.
He concluded by saying, “Overriding the Governor’s veto and ignoring advice by area health care providers rather than doing what we need to do to address the HSHS closure crisis makes zero sense and would be the definition of playing politics with people who are suffering. Politicians need to get out of the way. Just say, ‘yes,’ and allow Chippewa Valley health care providers do what they do best.”
