Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed 'Gail's Law,' also known as Senate Bill 903, into law on Tuesday, April 16. This new legislation mandates that health insurance companies in Wisconsin must cover supplemental breast cancer screenings for women deemed high-risk, without requiring any cost-sharing, such as deductibles, copays, or coinsurance.
The bill, named after Gail Householder, received unanimous support, passing 86-0 in the state Assembly and 33-0 in the Senate before reaching the governor's desk. It specifically addresses women who have dense breast tissue or other significant risk factors for breast cancer, ensuring access to advanced screenings like ultrasounds and MRIs when medically necessary.
Advocates, including Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison), Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton), and Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma), highlighted the importance of early detection for better patient outcomes. The law aims to eliminate financial barriers for these crucial diagnostic tools and is scheduled to take effect in November 2024.
