City of Viroqua approves MOU to explore sale of land to Emplify Health for new medical facility

VIROQUA, Wis. — The Viroqua City Council voted Tuesday night to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Emplify Health, clearing the way for the organization to negotiate the purchase of up to 21.6 acres of municipal land in the Viroqua Business Park. The vote follows a dramatic sequence of events this year that began in March when Vernon Health and Emplify Health signed a letter of intent to explore what they called an affiliation with Vernon Health. That relationship ended in July when the Vernon Health Board of Directors voted to reject the proposed deal and remain independent, prompting Emplify to pursue a standalone campus. Vernon Health officials would later term Emplify’s attempt at a merger an attempted acquisition.

Medicare Minute: What to know before open enrollment

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) -- Medicare open enrollment begins Oct. 15 and there are important changes you need to know about this year.

Proposed Emplify Health development in Viroqua Business Park sparks debate about the future of local healthcare

VIROQUA, Wis. — A proposed healthcare expansion in Viroqua has moved to a key municipal committee, as local consumers continue to wonder what the shifting relationship between Vernon Health and Emplify Health will mean for their access to medical care. The Viroqua Business Park Commission met Wednesday, September 23,...

Padesky: November ballot question aims to give La Crosse a voice on healthcare

A new committee on healthcare in the city of La Crosse is a vote away from being created. In November city of La Crosse residents will decide if the Community Healthcare Action Plan gets passed through referendum. Nick Padesky, a campaign manager with Community Action Wisconsin, stopped in the WIZM...

MON Healthcare Report: Baldwin seeking investigation of alleged ‘severe lapses’ in patient care at Tomah VA hospital

— U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is urging the head of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to investigate conditions at the Tomah VA Medical Center, referencing reports of “severe lapses” in patient care at the hospital. The Madison Dem sent a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins expressing...

La Crosse, Eau Claire voters to consider local health care action plans

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Voters in La Crosse and Eau Claire will consider measures this November to create citizens’ advisory committees focused on health care access and affordability.

Heroes Don’t Wait, They Vaccinate – Community Flu Vaccine Clinics

Influenza (flu) is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Protect you and your family this flu season by getting the influenza vaccine, or flu shot, that protects against the influenza viruses that are likely to cause disease in the upcoming flu season. The Monroe County Health Department encourages residents to get vaccinated against the flu and is holding community flu vaccine clinics this fall to make getting your flu shot easy and convenient for you and your family!

Emplify Health explores new outpatient campus in Viroqua Business Park following healthcare split

VIROQUA Wis. – Healthcare provider Emplify Health is moving forward with plans to purchase land in the Viroqua Business Park for a proposed new medical campus, signaling a firm intention to maintain a permanent presence in Vernon County. The move comes as Emplify Health and Vernon Health navigate a...

Wisconsin health officials hopeful encouraging measles vaccination can stop growing outbreak

As the number of measles cases continues to grow, Wisconsin health officials say they’re seeing some success with efforts to encourage vaccination. The outbreak in Iowa, Lafayette and Grant counties has grown to 161 confirmed and probable cases over the past two months. On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Department of...

Family and Children’s Center opens Lotus House for mothers in recovery

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The Family and Children’s Center is expanding its services in La Crosse with the opening of Lotus House, a residential program for pregnant women and parenting mothers in recovery.

Vernon County Health Department confirms two cases of measles, urges precautions and vaccination

VIROQUA, Wis. — Public health officials in Vernon County have confirmed two local cases of measles, triggering an active contact-tracing investigation alongside state health authorities to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus. The diagnosis was formally verified through laboratory testing conducted by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene.

Emplify Health by Gunderson to add Psychiatric Residency

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – Emplify Health by Gundersen will soon be adding psychiatry to its list of residency programs. This comes after Emplify Health received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The new initiative marks Emplify Health by Gundersen’s 10th residency program. It will also serve as a pathway for clinicians […]

Holmen Area Community Center to launch respite program for individuals living with MCI, Early-Stage Dementia

HOLMEN, Wis. (WEAU) - The Holmen Area Community Center is announcing the launch of ‘Gather Together’, a new respite program intended to provide social engagement, activities, and support for individuals living with Mild Cognitive Impairment or early-stage dementia, while providing caregivers with a four-hour respite. According to a...

Emplify Health by Gundersen launches psychiatry residency program to address regional behavioral health shortage

Locals Are Saving A Fortune In This Wisconsin Town Where Healthcare Costs 30% Less

If you told most Americans that there’s a city where the healthcare system actually works the way it’s supposed to, costs significantly less than everywhere else, and has been doing this consistently for years, they’d probably assume you were describing somewhere in Scandinavia. La Crosse, Wisconsin would...

Vernon County Health Department targets vaccine hesitancy with new grant as measles cases emerge nearby

VIROQUA Wis. – In a bid to combat dropping immunization rates and address a recent public health threat close to home, the Vernon County Board of Supervisors has approved a federal grant to fund a targeted vaccine education campaign. The decision comes as the county’s public health officials spearhead active outreach efforts in response to a measles outbreak in neighboring Southwest Wisconsin counties.

Vote by Vernon Health Board to remain independent marks shift in healthcare landscape for Viroqua, Vernon County

Sept. 5, 2026 VIROQUA, Wis. – The recent decision by the Vernon Health Board of Directors to not pursue an affiliation with Emplify Health was either a bold move to protect local independence for a small rural hospital, or a choice that sets up difficult challenges and could result in direct competition from an outside […]

Vernon Health announces new Soldiers Grove space to expand access to care

VIROQUA, Wis. — Vernon Health announced plans to move into a new facility in Soldiers Grove, a step officials said would expand access to care for residents of Soldiers Grove and surrounding communities. The move continued Vernon Health’s commitment to providing care closer to where patients live. Officials said...

Green Bay Hospital Claims Consumer Loyalty Award

NRC Health has named the winners of their 2026 Consumer Loyalty Award. This prestigious award was given to Emplify Health’s Green Bay and La Crosse hospitals in recognition of their being in the top 10 of gold standard partner hospitals nationwide. Earning these titles means that these hospitals have...