Assembly speaker anticipates more mental health legislation

MADISON (AP) — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he wants to revisit mental health issues this legislative session with a focus on improving access to care.

Vos, a Rochester Republican, created a task force last session to examine mental health needs in the state and has formed a new Assembly committee to work on mental health reform this session.

Vos told a Wisconsin Health News luncheon in Madison on Thursday that he wants to do more to address mental health care. He said he wants to increase access to primary care so the mentally ill can be referred to experts for help. He said he also wants to reduce mental illness' social stigma.

He offered no details other than to say he expects to start work on those issues this fall.