Joint Finance Committee plans to reject proposal in budget to expand state's "Family Care" program

MADISON (AP) — The Legislature's finance committee plans to reject a proposal in Governor Scott Walker's budget that calls for expanding the state's Family Care program and ending the IRIS program.

Family Care provides managed long-term care services for the elderly. IRIS provides assistance with bathing, dressing and other needs.

Both programs are available in 57 of the state's 72 counties.

Walker's budget calls for expanding Family Care statewide and eliminating IRIS. That program's functions would be wrapped into Family Care.

Sen. Alberta Darling and Rep. John Nygren, the committee's co-chairs, told reporters on Thursday, May 14th they want a "better product" than Walker's plan.

They said the committee plans to vote later this month on directing the state Department of Health Services to start developing a plan that would reform long-term care.