JFC Republicans Did This: New Pause on Labor and Delivery in Rice Lake

MADISON, Wis. — Today, Marshfield Medical Center in Rice Lake announced a pause in labor and delivery services, citing ongoing staffing issues as a result of hospital closures in western Wisconsin by HSHS and Prevea Health.

In February, Gov. Evers approved Act 97, securing $15 million in crisis response resources to support health care access in the wake of the HSHS and Prevea Health closures. Republicans on the Joint Committee on Finance have since refused to release this funding, even failing to show up to a recent meeting called to vote on the matter, choosing instead to attend a political fundraiser at the office of a major DC lobbying firm.

Today’s announcement came as Democratic leaders gathered in Eau Claire to call out Republicans for their continued refusal to release this critical funding.

In response, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Communications Director Joe Oslund issued the following statement:

“By holding hostage $15 million in crisis response funding to keep hospitals open in Eau Claire, Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee are directly responsible for this new pause on labor and delivery services in Rice Lake. Folks in Rice Lake shouldn’t have to drive all the way to Eau Claire to have their baby—they should be able to access this care in their own community, with their own doctor. Republican politicians in Madison failed to show up to work, and we are now witnessing health care crumble across rural Wisconsin.”

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