Van Orden Urges Evers to Act Quickly to Align State Budget with Federal Healthcare Provisions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers urging him to promptly sign the Wisconsin FY 2025-27 state budget into law. The state budget includes an increase to the state provider tax rate, which must be in effect prior to the signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

For nearly a decade, Wisconsin’s provider tax rate has not been updated from 1.7%. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will allow non-Medicaid expansion states, like Wisconsin, with provider tax rates of up to 6% to remain untouched. In order for Wisconsin to fully capitalize on the Medicaid benefits in the bill, it is imperative the governor sign the state budget into law as soon as possible.

“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025,” Rep. Van Orden stated in the letter.

The congressman continued, “Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.”

“I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.”

To read the full letter, click here or scroll below.

The Honorable Tony Evers

Governor of Wisconsin

115 East Capitol

Madison, WI 53702

July 2, 2025

Dear Governor Evers,

I wanted to send you a follow up note from our conversation yesterday.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I implore you to put politics aside, and our neighbors first.

The One Big Beautiful Bill will have a profoundly beneficial impact on Wisconsinites from all socioeconomic backgrounds by ensuring that Badger Care, in its current form and scope, remains solvent into the future and bolstering our rural healthcare systems.

Wisconsin will immediately receive a $500,000,000 plus up for rural healthcare infrastructure, and an additional billion dollars annually for healthcare in our great state.

Additionally, this bill protects SNAP for those most in need, prevents a 25% tax hike on Wisconsin families, makes the Small Business Deduction permanent and increases it to 23%, and removes the Death Tax so our farmers can pass their land onto the next generation.

Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.

I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.

Forward!

All the best,

Derrick Van Orden

Member of Congress

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