“This is a huge win for the women of Wisconsin” – Rep. Bob Donovan
“It’s about the people, not the politics” – Rep. Pat Snyder
A courageous band of Republican legislators successfully convinced Assembly leaders to call two major pro-women’s healthcare bills to the floor, where they are expected to pass on Friday.
The legislators announced at an unusual late-night press conference on February 18 that Assembly Speaker Robin Vos had agreed and reversed course after pressure from them and hearing their voices; the bills should now be on Gov. Tony Evers’ desk by Monday.
“We are working hard to make sure we listen to the people of Wisconsin and particularly the people advocating for these pieces of legislation,” said state Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, one of the group of legislators who successfully fought for the bills.
The bills, which the Assembly calendar confirmed will come to a vote on Friday, are:
1. A bill to require health insurance policies to provide coverage for diagnostic breast exams and supplemental breast screening exams for women at increased risk for breast cancer. To put this in layman’s terms, a large number of women have “dense breasts” that require extra screening for cancer, as it can’t be detected as easily, and this bill makes sure they can get it.
2. A bill to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a full 12 months to improve maternal health outcomes.
The Republican legislators spoke emotionally about their own personal experiences with breast cancer, with several legislators describing how they tragically lost their mothers at a young age to the disease. Other legislators cited their sisters and wives, stressing how passionately they worked to get the bills to the floor. In fact, state Rep. Pat Snyder (R-Wausau) revealed that he told leaders he wouldn’t run again if they did not pass the bill on extending postpartum health care.
“It’s about the people, not the politics,” Snyder said, at one point rapping his hand on the podium.
Republicans said the bills will help women and children. That makes for a stronger society. And they will save lives, they said. The bills are also supported by Democrats, who tried to use them for political theater throughout the day on February 18. By 10 p.m., the group of Republicans, sans leadership (but with their support), held a press conference to announce that their efforts had paid off.
Rep. Bob Donovan Shares His Wife’s Story
Rep. Bob Donovan opened up about his wife’s battle with breast cancer. He believes the policies might have made a difference for her.
Rep. Benjamin Franklin Opened Up About His Personal Family Story
Rep. Benjamin Franklin spoke about his mother and sister and why he pushed hard for the bills.
Rep. Dean Kaufert Described Losing His Mother at Age 19
GOP Rep. Dean Kaufert described how he lost his mother at age 19 to cancer. He is one of the Republican legislators who fought to get the bills through.
Reps. Pat Snyder, Todd Novak, and Clint Moses explained how they, and other legislators, kept the pressure on until leadership heard their voices.
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