MADISON – Today the Assembly passed two bills that support women’s health: Gail’s Law, which requires health insurance to cover breast cancer screenings (2025 Assembly Bill 263 / Senate Bill 264); and Postpartum Medicaid Expansion, which extends postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to one year (2025 Assembly Bill 97 / Senate Bill 23). For many months, Assembly Republicans, led by Speaker Robin Vos, refused to bring these bills to the floor for a vote. Assembly Democrats attempted many procedural tactics to force a vote on these bills this Legislative Session, including proposing these two bills as amendments on every bill on the calendar during the February 18th floor session. After breaking for almost 7 hours, Assembly Republicans announced a vote on both Gail’s Law and Postpartum Medicaid Expansion. The Assembly passed both bills during the February 19th floor session, and Governor Evers is expected to sign them into law soon. Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) released the following statement:
“Today is an important day, and it is also a somber day. I want to take a moment to honor the women who lost their lives, the children who lost their mothers, the parents who buried their daughters, and the spouses and loved ones who had to figure out how to carry on because this legislature didn’t act when we could have, and we should have.
“Today is also a good day, a day that Wisconsinites have fought for with tenacity and grit and perseverance. Wisconsin: You didn’t give up, you didn’t take NO for an answer, you demanded what you deserve, and together we won. What we accomplished today will save lives–thank you for fighting with the urgency Wisconsin women deserve.
“Passing postpartum Medicaid expansion from 60 days to one year is a win for Wisconsin women, and our families. Passing Gail’s Law to provide coverage for necessary breast cancer screenings is a win for Wisconsin women, and our families. These two bills represent the common ground that serves the common good, and they are very soon going to be the law of the land.
“I want to thank every advocate across Wisconsin who fought for the healthcare that women deserve. I also want to thank Gail Zeamer, and her family, for advocating for access to breast cancer screenings, and I am so sorry Gail isn’t here with us today. Thank you for fighting a fight worth fighting, and not giving up until you won. Forward, together.”
Rep. Vining represents the 13th Assembly District, which includes Elm Grove, and parts of Wauwatosa and Brookfield. For more information visit Rep. Vining’s website here.
