(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
MADISON, Wis. – Lawmakers, breast cancer survivors, and advocates gathered Tuesday for a Senate Health Committee hearing on Senate Bill 264, also known as Gail’s Law, which seeks to close a longstanding insurance gap that leaves many Wisconsin women paying out-of-pocket for potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings.
The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Rep. Amanda Nedweski (R–Pleasant Prairie), is named in honor of the late Gail Zeamer and would require insurance companies to cover supplemental diagnostic screenings for women with dense breast tissue—something standard mammograms often fail to detect accurately.
“Hearing the powerful testimony of survivors and advocates today reinforces how urgently we need to get Gail’s Law enacted,” Nedweski said during her testimony. “For many women, the burden of breast cancer is made worse by the financial strain of unaffordable follow-up procedures.”
Current insurance law in Wisconsin does not require coverage for supplemental breast imaging, which can cost patients more than $1,000 out-of-pocket. Roughly 50% of women have dense breast tissue, a condition that increases the risk of breast cancer and reduces the effectiveness of standard mammograms. Without coverage, many women forgo additional screening—sometimes until it’s too late.
Nedweski, who herself has received the kind of follow-up recommendation the bill targets, noted that early detection not only improves survival rates but significantly reduces the cost of treatment. She cited data showing that states with similar legislation have seen only minor increases in premiums—approximately 84 cents per member annually.
If approved, Wisconsin would join over 30 other states that have enacted similar laws to eliminate financial barriers to diagnostic and supplemental breast cancer screenings.
The bill has drawn broad bipartisan support and emotional backing from breast cancer survivors and public health advocates who argue that delaying or avoiding necessary follow-up screenings due to cost could mean the difference between life and death.
More information on Gail Zeamer’s legacy is available at mydensitymatters.org.
3 Responses
How about getting coverage for thermography for breast screenings.
Why does this self-proclaimed conservative support socialism?
On more than one occasion I’ve contacted her and zero response. Won’t be getting my vote if someone runs against her.