From WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com …
— Gov. Tony Evers today signed legislation dubbed “Gail’s Law,” ending out-of-pocket expenses for supplemental screenings for women with dense breast tissue.
Surrounded by advocates for SB 264, including members of the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition, Evers said the new law will “help ensure thousands of women across Wisconsin receive the health care they deserve.”
The bill’s name references late Wisconsinite Gail Zeamer, a Neenah resident who died of cancer in 2024. She had advocated for the change to help ensure women with dense breast tissue like herself could detect it early without facing excessive costs.
“Gail’s story and influence have helped us make these important changes in state law,” Evers said. “Losing her from your lives so soon should never have been the outcome. Unfortunately, those stories are too common as well.”
The guv said the new law aims to reduce the number of women whose breast cancer goes undetected due to the cost of additional screenings that weren’t covered by insurance, noting it’s already one of costliest cancers to treat.
Evers was joined today by members of Zeamer’s family. Her daughter, Claudia, said she’s “incredibly proud” of her mom.
“I feel very lucky knowing that my mom is now part of history, and I miss her more than ever,” she said. “But I also know that she’s looking down on all of us with that big, beautiful smile of hers knowing that we finished this for her.”
The bill had broad bipartisan support within the Legislature, passing the Assembly on a 96-0 vote and the Senate 32-1.
See the release below and see more reactions from lawmakers here.
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Press Releases
– Rep. Duchow: A historic day for Wisconsin women: Governor Evers signs Gail’s Law
– Rep. Nedweski: Gail’s Law signed, ensuring affordable access to critical breast screenings
– Rep. Stubbs: Celebrates signing of Postpartum Medicaid Expansion and Gail’s Law
