Evers makes some progress on preventative health measures

In both of his two-year budgets, Gov. Tony Evers proposed funding for a variety of programs aimed at keeping this promise. But Republicans rejected the vast majority of the governor's proposals to expand preventive healthcare and women's healthcare and address racial disparities. 

Nevertheless, Evers was able to direct some federal COVID relief money to such programs. (The governor was able to distribute that money on his own, without approval from the GOP-held Legislature.) 

For example, two grant programs announced March 30, 2022, funded at $5 million each, are intended to expand access to mental health services for children and making telehealth appointments easier to access for people without reliable internet at home.

And, as we reported on March 25, 2022,  Evers gave Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin $2.4 million in COVID relief money. It was earmarked for services aimed at supporting organizations that work to eliminate disparities in health, child development, education and other areas, not to pay for abortions, the organization said. 

Of that amount, $1.4 million was split between individual clinics and about $1 million was given to the broader statewide organization. 

Funding for Planned Parenthood had been cut under Gov. Scott Walker in 2016. 

Since the end-result is a smaller pool of money than Evers intended, we rate this Compromise.