Lifting Family Care enrollment cap heads to Wisc. Senate

Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. — A proposal to lift an enrollment cap on the Family Care program has passed the state Assembly with a change that will require the Senate to vote on it again.

The bill as it passed the Senate last month would allow Family Care to add new participants past its July 2011 enrollment level. The Assembly version passed Wednesday would also lift the cap but require the Legislature’s budget committee to approve any expansion of the program beyond where it is offered now.

Democrats argue against the change, saying the budget committee shouldn’t be given that power to block expansion of the popular program designed to keep elderly people in their homes rather than be treated in more expensive nursing homes.

Gov. Scott Walker implemented the enrollment cap last year.