Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

02/18/2026

National health care advocates are worried about the federal government's public release of Medicaid data coupled with HHS comments that suggest services that are provided a lot indicate fraud. The top item that appears in the Medicaid data release is "personal care services" the third is "residential habilitation" the fifth is "attendant care services." These are all home and community-based services — the services that allow disabled, elderly, and developmentally disabled people to live in their own homes and communities instead of institutions.

BPDD agrees with the concerns outlined by the National Health Law Program's statement:

https://healthlaw.org/news/nhelp-condemns-weaponization-of-medicaid-data-to-justify-1-trillion-in-cuts/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQCxE1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETIxT1ZtczA1bEdZRnByVEF5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlr4f1YLvbu9DwofHsBpHahGvSS2owZJywL41aaAiP_CICalxKfKShijJ33g_aem_bQBE4YCZ8k1GUKJgDrYAhQ

02/17/2026

The WAuTD Coalition is partnering with the CoP ASD/DD (Community of Practice on Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities) for a virtual gathering.

February 24, 2026
9:00am-11:00am via Zoom

Register here: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5usPCOhCwHGXLH8

We are seeking autistic youth or young adults in Wisconsin to share their stories in the Feb 24th meeting. Speakers are invited to provide a 3–5 minute story, which can be delivered live during the event or submitted as a pre-recorded video. Stipends are available.

They are asking speakers to address one or both of the following questions:

What is one area of your transition that went well, and what factors contributed to that success?
What is one area of your transition that was challenging, and what improvements could have been made?

Please contact Lynn Hrabik at hrabik@wisc.edu for more information.

02/13/2026

Nearly 30% of doctors listed as Medicaid providers don’t treat Medicaid patients. Research finds many physicians that accept Medicaid rarely see Medicaid patients. In 2021, between 68% and 89% of doctors, depending on specialty, were enrolled in Medicaid. During this time nearly 28% delivered zero care to Medicaid beneficiaries and another 10% treated fewer than 10 patients.

Stay up to date on all things federal funding by joining our weekly webinar series every Friday from 9-1030 am. You can still register for this week's webinar on 2/13 using the link below.

2/13 English registration: https://bit.ly/FedFunds213
2/13 Spanish registration: https://bit.ly/FedFundSpa213

https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/medicaid-ghost-providers-study-health-affairs/811261/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--lamuB1cKSYCfUHxwTDk9YHkGIDkoHyE3G021apEBUdiaz52WSUjVeXHVB6lG0_GJ4K5G1OZYz848tYcCJd_kTohE-CUSon71xFj_rxZWBl6qSWas&_hsmi=402205339

The new research published in Health Affairs adds to concerns about low physician participation in the safety-net insurance program, especially among mental health practitioners.

02/12/2026

We had a wonderful time at the WI Transition Conference today! We will be here tomorrow as well so stop by our booth to learn more about BPDD or just say hello to Jeremy!

02/12/2026

Make sure you are ready to vote in the 2026 elections. Our “Make Your Plan to Vote” fact sheet will help you prepare for the February 17 Primary and the April 7 Spring Elections.

View the fact sheet here: https://disabilityvote.org/2025/be-ready-to-vote-in-2026/

02/12/2026

Are you interested in presenting at the 2026 Self-Determination Conference? We are seeking session proposals for Tuesday, October 20 & Wednesday, October 21, 2026. This year’s theme: The Power of Self-Determination; Technology, Community and You will help people with disabilities lead more Self-Determined lives by offering tools to plan the life they want to live in the communities they choose!

Click this link to fill out the presenter application online: https://employmentfirstconference.regfox.com/2026-sd-conference-presenter-proposal

Submissions are due by noon on May 5, 2026.

Things to know when submitting a proposal:
• Proposals must include a self-advocate(s) as a lead or co-presenter.
• Panels should be limited to no more than 3 people.
• Conference sessions must support Self-Determination and Self-Directed principles.
• Sessions will be all in-person. Presenters must attend the conference
in-person.
• Presentations should focus on practical, take-home strategies that people can implement in their lives.
• Sessions should not promote specific agencies or products.
• Repeat or similar sessions from previous conferences will not be considered.
• Sessions will be 1.25 hours in length. Self-Advocate sessions will be 30 minutes in length.
• A typical session has an audience of 50-75 attendees.

Get tickets online for 2026 SD Conference Presenter Proposal here.

02/11/2026

BPDD staffer Tami Jackson submitted public comment on the need for increased funding for FoodShare programs in Wisconsin as part of a coalition of organizations urging for funding.

“Half of FoodShare participants are elderly, blind, or disabled. Many people with disabilities must remain poor to access the care they need that is only available in Medicaid,” said Tami Jackson, Survival Coalition Co-Chair. “Often, the amount of FoodShare dollars people receive is small, but it makes all the difference when every dollar counts.”

You can read the full press release here:https://wi-bpdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2.11.26_StateFoodShareCosts_presser.pdf

02/11/2026

Welcome to Just Ask — a video series about being different, being brave, and being you. Inspired by Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s book Just Ask, this series brings together self-advocates and community leaders in one-of-a-kind conversations fueled by curiosity and mutual respect.

In each episode, two people interview each other — asking honest questions, sharing stories, and discovering the strength in their differences. It’s about seeing each other, learning from each other, and celebrating what makes us us.
In this seventh episode, watch Junior and Katherine take turns asking and answering questions — breaking down barriers and building connection through conversation.

Link: https://youtu.be/-QDMXYOszSg

02/10/2026

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is up for a vote this week, likely on Wednesday, February 11. If voting rights are important to you, contact your members of Congress.

This act would add more barriers to voting, such as:

Requiring every American citizen to provide specific documents, such as a passport or an original birth certificate, in person when registering to vote and whenever they update their voter registration.

Eliminating mail-in and online registrations.

Requiring photo ID in every state (WI already requires photo ID to vote).

The SAVE Act would disproportionately impact people with disabilities, older adults, women who change their name when they get married, and other minorities.

Millions of Americans do not have access to their birth certificate and obtaining a copy can be costly.

Half of Americans, especially lower-income Americans, do not have a passport.

Eliminating mail-in voting options and online voting registration adds transportation barriers that are already problems for non-drivers.

Find your members of Congress here:
https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

Alt Text: Graphic reads Take Action Now

02/10/2026

In 2026, Wisconsin voters will elect a new state supreme court justice. Check out our fact sheet and learn why this election is so important for people with disabilities.

Learn more here: Wisconsin Supreme Court Fact Sheet - Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition https://disabilityvote.org/2019/wisconsin-supreme-court-fact-sheet/

02/09/2026

With several cases of measles confirmed in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services shared this infographic and resources about whether you need a booster shot or not.

If you've had your MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccines, you should be protected from the , but some folks may need a boost. Check to see what vaccines you've had on the Immunization Registry and ask your doctor if you might need a booster. Learn more at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/measles.htm

02/08/2026

Registration is open for the Circles of Life Conference! Circles of Life will be held in Stevens Point on May 14th and 15th. There will also be a CLTS Professionals Preconference on May 13, from 10:00 - 3:00.

Register here: https://familyvoiceswi.org/circles-of-life-conference/