Wisconsin Enacts New Law to Enhance Breast Cancer Screening Coverage
Wisconsin women now have enhanced access to breast cancer screenings, thanks to a new law signed by Governor Tony Evers. This legislation, known as Gail’s Law, mandates insurance coverage for additional breast screening exams, specifically benefiting individuals at higher risk.
Gail’s Law draws its name from Gail Zeamer, a woman who passed away due to breast cancer that was not detected by routine screenings. The law addresses a gap where Wisconsin previously required insurers to cover initial mammograms but did not mandate coverage for follow-up screenings.
The legislative journey of this bill was extensive, having been introduced during three consecutive sessions. In 2021, it was first introduced, and it finally passed the previous month following the Republican consensus on this and another bill expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage.
Gail Zeamer, a Neenah resident, passed away in 2024 at age 56. Her advocacy for legal change began following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2016. Despite her efforts to address lumps with doctors, they went unchecked by ultrasounds or MRIs due to insurance limitations.
Dense breast tissue was another factor in Zeamer’s case, which often results in mammograms missing cancerous growths. In response, Wisconsin passed a 2017 law requiring healthcare facilities to inform women if dense breast tissue is detected, as it poses an additional risk.
Early detection is crucial; per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 99% of women diagnosed at the earliest stage of breast cancer survive five years or more, compared to about 32% diagnosed at an advanced stage.
“This law ensures that the coverage women need matches the realities of their health, so no one is forced to delay or forgo potentially life-saving screening,” stated Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison.
During the signing ceremony at the state Capitol, Governor Evers remarked that the system had “failed” Zeamer. However, he praised her resilience and contribution to the enactment of two laws safeguarding women’s health in Wisconsin.
Claudia Zeamer, Gail’s daughter, expressed pride in her mother’s legacy. “I wish more than anything that she could be here to see what she started and to see how many lives she’s going to help in the future,” she said.
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