Dr Natalie Luehmann, MD, and team advocate for legislation eliminating out-of-
pocket costs for patients
GREEN BAY — BayCare Clinic providers are advocating for a new state law that would help more women receive early diagnosis of breast cancer and potentially create better survival outcomes for patients throughout Wisconsin. Dr. Natalie Luehmann, MD, nurse practitioner Molly Linzmeier and their team at Aurora BayCare Breast Services are passionate about supporting this law, which has received bipartisan support from legislators.
“This law would allow more women—particularly those at higher risk for breast cancer—to obtain more access to diagnostic breast cancer screenings,” Linzmeier said. “Ultimately, this means more lives would be saved.”
The bill, introduced by Rep. Amanda Nedweski (R-Pleasant Prairie) and a bipartisan group of legislators, is co-sponsored by 58 Wisconsin lawmakers. The legislation is also championed by lead sponsor Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton), a nurse practitioner and former senior lecturer at UW-Oshkosh School of Nursing.
“This law is a significant step toward equitable healthcare access, removing financial barriers that prevent women from screening,” Dr. Luehmann said. “Early screening is particularly important for patients who have dense breast tissue or other high-risk factors for developing breast cancer.”
Gail’s Law is named for Gail Zeamer, who was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer in 2016. Zeamer was the catalyst behind the 2018 Wisconsin Breast Density Notification Law, which requires patients to be notified about their condition so they can seek additional screening. Similar screening may have allowed Zeamer’s cancer to be caught earlier. Zeamer died in 2024.
Preventative screening and early detection are key in increasing survival chances for breast cancer. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for patients would encourage more patients to pursue screening earlier and improve outcomes across Wisconsin.
“Early intervention significantly increases our chances of successfully treating your cancer,” Dr. Luehmann said. “Long-term survival rates also increase with early detection.”
For women at average risk of breast cancer, it’s recommended to begin annual mammogram screenings as early as age 40. Regular screening helps detect breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
Individuals may be considered high-risk if they have a family history of breast cancer, carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, received chest radiation before age 30, or have certain inherited conditions that increase cancer risk.
Dr. Luehmann and Linzmeier are available to speak to the media about the real-world impact of this legislation on their patient population. Reach out to Sheng Riechers at Sheng.Riechers@baycareclinic.com to schedule an interview.
About BayCare Clinic
BayCare Clinic, baycareclinic.com, is the largest physician-owned specialty-care clinic in Northeast Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. BayCare Clinic offers expertise in more than 20 specialties, with more than 100 physicians serving in 12 area communities. BayCare Clinic is a joint partner in Aurora BayCare Medical Center, a 167-bed, full-service hospital. Follow BayCare Clinic on Facebook, Instagram and X.
About Aurora BayCare
Aurora BayCare Medical Center is a 167-bed, full-service tertiary care hospital located at 2845 Greenbrier Road on Green Bay’s east side. It opened in September 2001 as a joint venture of Aurora Health Care and BayCare Clinic. Aurora BayCare is committed to creating a better way to provide high-quality tertiary healthcare, the latest in medical technology and superior service.
