HBS
Wisconsin
With accomplished backgrounds across the state legislative and executive branches on both sides of the aisle, the HBS Wisconsin team has years of experience and senior-level leadership across all levels of Wisconsin state government and politics.
HBS Wisconsin knows how decisions in Madison are made and who makes them because our team members have been on the other side of the table making the make-or-break decisions.
Utilizing their in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of Wisconsin state government, the team’s combined experience uniquely positions our policy experts to advocate in the spaces of health policy, economic development, technology and internet, and the state budget. The HBS Wisconsin team connects their clients with decisionmakers across the state, providing counsel to Fortune 100s and nonprofits – creating opportunities and solving the toughest challenges.
HBS Wisconsin Team Members
Resources
Case Studies
Client
An industry association for providers of autism treatment who serve 1,500+ children in Wisconsin annually. WAPA was founded in 2017 as a way to unify the voice of autism providers in addressing several concerning trends and increase collaboration with the Department of Health Services, specifically in the areas regarding Medicaid Benefits.
Objective
Credential the organization in the State of Wisconsin, pursue a Medicaid Reimbursement Rate increase, and achieve greater collaboration with the regulating agency and Legislature.
Strategy
HBS efforts included making introductions to key stakeholders in the Executive and Legislative branches, including with the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Department of Health Services Secretary, and other officials to begin building long-term relationships in pursuit of a short-term fix to the low Medicaid Reimbursement Rate for Autism providers. The plan sought an increase outside of the biennial budget utilizing Medicaid surplus dollars, while building awareness and educating stakeholders in aim of a substantial rate increase during the next biennial budget.
Result
On September 1, 2018, the Department of Health Services increased the Medicaid reimbursement rate by 33% on the most impactful code used for treating clients.
While pursuing a rate increase, the HBS team simultaneously assisted WAPA on two legislative concerns that arose, protecting the providers from unintended consequences of legislation.
Client
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) is the national trade association representing companies the build, own, and manage wireless facilities. WIA represents the companies that make up the wireless infrastructure ecosystem in the United States. Members include wireless carriers, infrastructure providers, and professional services firms that collectively own and operate more than 135,000 telecommunications facilities around the globe. Their mission is to support the delivery of advanced wireless services to communities across the country in a responsible and sustainable manner.
Objective
WIA’s goal was to pass legislation in Wisconsin that encouraged deployment of small cell 5G infrastructure. Having a statewide, streamlined approach provides greater predictability and incentives for private investment in the next general networks, including 5G.
Strategy
HBS efforts included working closely with stakeholder groups, including Legislative Leadership and bill sponsors, Governor and his staff, WIA’s individual members, and opposition groups, on a bipartisan bill. The plan sought to reach an agreement between all stakeholders prior to introduction, secure bi-partisan co-authorship of the agreed upon bill, achieve positive reception at the public hearing, move the bill quickly through the legislative process and ultimately have the Governor sign the legislation into law.
Result
On July 10, 2019, Governor Evers signed SB 239 into law.
The Legislation had bi-partisan authorship and received broad support in the Senate and a unanimous, voice vote, in the Assembly.
