News from the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition

Sometimes you have to reach across the aisle. While the only things Rep. Donna Rozar and I have in common are her work on this bill and our dislike of John Spiros, (she doesn’t like public unions, and she is prolife) she was a very kind and gracious person. I had the privilege of giving this award to her today in honor of and in memory of Gail Zeamer, who was so instrumental in starting the work of AB117/SB121. Representative Rozar did do a great job of parrying with the insurance lobbyists in the Assembly Health Committee. In January an amendment was added to remove the MRI cost free option, leaving only ultrasound at no cost. The Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition and our partners in the Early Detection Saves Lives Coalition ceased working for passage of the Breast Cancer Screening and Detection bill due to all harmful amendments to the bill. Women deserve what is medically recommended for them and this certainly did not reflect good health policy. The bill did not get on the schedule for a vote in either the Senate or the Assembly and the session is over, so the bill is dead. That means that we will be starting fresh when the new legislature is seated in January of 2025. We do want to thank those that signed on and hope for their continued support in the next cycle.

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