Opioid bills expected to be signed by Gov. Walker, not doing enough says Dems

Measures will leave parts of state underfunded.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is expected to sign into law several bills meant to deal with Wisconsin’s surging opioid epidemic soon.

Most passed unanimously in the state Senate but not without some criticism from Democrats like state Sen. Jon Erpenbach, who insists the measures won’t go far enough.

“They’re going to be segments of our state that are going to be left behind with this legislation because they’res not enough money to fund it,” he said.

Democrats have consistently criticized the governor for turning down federal medicaid money that would help to pay for drug treatment for low income patients.  

“Make no mistake about it, we have not cured the problem,” Erpenbach said. “We’re starting down the road, but there are so many things we could be doing today that rather than take steps toward the problem, we could be taking giant leaps toward the problem.”

The funding also would make it difficult to find drug treatment options.

“Next thing you know, your son or your daughter is going 150 miles away because that’s the nearest place they can get treatment,” Erpenbach said. “Let me tell you what that does to the family unit. In some cases, absolutely destroys it.”