Van H. Wanggaard, Wisconsin State Senator from 21st district | Official Website
Van H. Wanggaard, Wisconsin State Senator from 21st district | Official Website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes a Palliative Care Council within Wisconsin's Department of Health Services to advise on palliative care issues. Comprising medical professionals, patients, and industry representatives, the council's duties include evaluating palliative care program outcomes, assessing economic and quality of life impacts alongside curative treatment, and reviewing reimbursement mechanisms. It is prohibited from advising on physician-assisted dying. The council and DHS will create a statewide palliative care information program, and DHS must maintain an online resource hub. Biennial reports on palliative care access and impact will be submitted to the legislature. The bill specifies council membership criteria and mandates at least two meetings per year across various state regions.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Patrick Snyder (Republican-85th District), Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Senator Melissa Ratcliff (Democrat-16th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), and Representative Joan Fitzgerald (Democrat-46th District), along 17 other co-sponsors.
Van H. Wanggaard has authored or co-authored another 16 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Wanggaard graduated from Gateway Technical College.
Wanggaard, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2015 to represent the state's 21st Senate district, replacing previous state senator John Lehman.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB39 | 02/12/2025 | Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE) |
| SB34 | 02/12/2025 | Withdrawal of candidacy for certain offices filled at the general election and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB30 | 02/12/2025 | Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE) |
| SB12 | 02/03/2025 | A sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE) |
| SB6 | 01/24/2025 | Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses |
| SB5 | 01/24/2025 | Battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty |
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