Gov. Tony Evers released a multi-faceted proposal to tackle the surging pandemic Tuesday.
The bill put forward by Evers would prohibit evictions and foreclosures through 2021; continue the suspension of a one-week waiting period before people can collect unemployment; allow workers, including in healthcare, to claim worker’s compensation benefits related to COVID-19 if they contract the illness at work; and waive student tests and school report card requirements for the current year.
Other parts of the bill Evers made public Tuesday require insurers to cover telehealth services that would be covered if in person and ensure that health plans provide coverage for COVID-19 testing, diagnosis, treatment, prescriptions and vaccines.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he thought Republicans could find agreement with Evers on some ideas, but repeatedly declined to “negotiate in public.” He raised concerns about relying on state funding rather than federal money, and said Republicans want to prioritize areas such as increasing contact tracers, providing more resources for health care providers and additional assistance for businesses.