Universities of Wisconsin President Renée Wachter announces “The Healthy Wisconsin” proposal

In a decisive move to address the state’s growing medical needs, Universities of Wisconsin President Renée Wachter and a coalition of university representatives have unveiled the Healthy Wisconsin proposal. This ambitious budget initiative aims to train 35,000 new health care professionals over the next ten years, serving as the cornerstone of the Universities’ 2026-27 budget request. By focusing on the health care pipeline, the proposal seeks to ensure that Wisconsin communities remain vibrant and well-supported by a robust workforce of skilled medical experts.

President Wachter, speaking at UW-La Crosse alongside Chancellor James Beeby, UW-Parkside Provost Matt Cecil, and UW-Stout Polytechnic Dean of Students Sandi Scott, emphasized that the Universities of Wisconsin have a long-standing commitment to solving the state’s most pressing challenges. The proposal requests a $90 million state investment distributed across all thirteen public universities. This collective effort is designed to improve access to care by reducing wait times for appointments and ensuring that every region of the state has the professional talent necessary to thrive.

The urgency of the proposal is underscored by the current shortage of health care workers, which threatens the ability of residents to receive timely medical attention. Wachter noted that when professionals are in short supply, it becomes increasingly difficult for individuals to lead healthy lives and for local economies to prosper. By involving every university in the system, Healthy Wisconsin aims to strengthen the professional pipeline from education to practice, ultimately fulfilling a promise to enhance the quality of life for all Wisconsin citizens.