Two lifesaving bills my Democratic Colleagues and I have been fighting for over several years are finally going to become law.
Extending Postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a year will save lives, improve the health of moms and babies, and help reduce the unacceptable rates of maternal mortality among Black women in Wisconsin. I have been a champion of this much needed and humane policy for many years. Wisconsin becomes the 49th state to extend coverage; only Arkansas has not.
Gail’s Law Increases access to lifesaving screenings for women at higher risk of breast cancer. Making it possible for the 50% of Wisconsin women who are at higher risk of breast cancer to afford the preventative care they need will improve survival rates, reduce costs, and put simply, is the right thing to do. This is a necessary, compassionate, and long overdue step. I am in awe of the focus, perseverance and courage of Gail’s family in championing this bill and grateful we found the bipartisan will to get it done.
Republicans — who control what bills we consider and vote on as a Senate — have indicated we will have our final regular session in March.
What a shame! There is so much work to be done. We should be reducing the costs of housing, groceries and health care. We should be taking steps to bring down skyrocketing health care insurance premiums. We ought to be focused on saving the popular Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which Republicans stripped from the budget and have refused to negotiate on in good faith. We need to support our public schools, address PFAS contamination, and lower property taxes. The list goes on.
If only Republicans agreed with me that we need to roll up our sleeves and get things done!
