The Office of the Governor of the State of Wisconsin
04/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/20/2026 16:05
Gov. Evers: Wisconsin Women Will be Able to Take Advantage of Breast Cancer Screenings Covered Under “Gail’s Law”, Extended Postpartum Coverage in Effect Beginning This Summer
Press Release: Gov. Evers: Wisconsin Women Will be Able to Take Advantage of Breast Cancer Screenings Covered Under "Gail's Law", Extended Postpartum Coverage in Effect Beginning This Summer
State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 04/20/2026 02:10 PM CDT| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2026 |
| Contact: [email protected] |
| Gov. Evers: Wisconsin Women Will be Able to Take Advantage of Breast Cancer Screenings Covered Under "Gail's Law", Extended Postpartum Coverage in Effect Beginning This Summer |
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MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers today shared that under the newly passed "Gail's Law," Wisconsin women will be able to get medically necessary supplemental breast screenings or diagnostic breast examinations for those with dense breasts or who are at an increased risk of breast cancer fully covered by health insurance policies, including BadgerCare. Gov. Evers signed Senate Bill (SB) 264, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 103, last month in honor of Gail Zeamer, a Wisconsinite who tragically passed away in 2024 after a late-stage diagnosis caused by undetected cancer in dense breast tissue. Gov. Evers also shared that SB 23, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 102, which delivers on a key promise he made to Wisconsin moms, babies, and families as governor to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for thousands of moms across Wisconsin from 60 days to one year, will be in effect on July 1, 2026, following a standard period of review and approval of Wisconsin's state plan amendment by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "Today, thanks to Gail and her family's relentless efforts, all medically necessary supplemental breast screenings or diagnostic examinations for those who are at an increased risk of breast cancer are required to be covered by health insurance policies, and Wisconsin women don't have to wait to get these important procedures done because Gail's Law is in effect now," said Gov. Evers. "Breast cancer is already one of the costliest cancers to treat, and through this new law, we're helping ensure no woman slips through the cracks because they weren't able to afford additional tests not covered by insurance. When Wisconsin women thrive, our state thrives, and this is about making sure women and moms across our state get the healthcare they need and deserve." Since Day One, Gov. Evers has been a tireless advocate for expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare, including and especially women's healthcare and reproductive healthcare. 2025 Wisconsin Acts 102 and 103, respectively, work to ensure Wisconsin women and moms can get access to the essential care they need, whether it's diagnostic examinations or postpartum care, without having to worry if their insurance will cover it. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, 27 percent of women with breast cancer are not diagnosed until they have already reached Stage III, ultimately lowering the potential for successful treatment. "Gail's Law" is a critical step in the right direction to hold health insurers accountable and ensure that those at risk can access the essential diagnostic care needed to catch cancer early on. Gail's Law takes effect for members of governmental self-insured health plans, small group health plans, and individual market health insurance plans Jan. 1, 2027. Medicaid members will see the change July 1, 2026. While some insurance plans may already provide coverage, all plans will be required to do so by Jan. 1, 2027. Patients should check with their insurer to confirm coverage prior to January. Today, OCI published a bulletin for health insurers about Gail's Law. "Gail's Law ensures the insurance landscape matches the realities of women's health," said Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) Nathan Houdek. "Breast cancer screenings are an important covered benefit in Wisconsin, and Gail's Law extends this coverage to new types of screenings that can catch cancer earlier and improve lifelong outcomes." Additionally, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), nearly half of pregnancy-related deaths occur in the postpartum period, and the Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team found that nearly all (95 percent) of these deaths were preventable. Research shows that extending postpartum coverage improves maternal health outcomes and reduces the need for extensive and expensive long-term treatment. DHS estimates that this extension will help an additional 5,000 qualifying women enrolled in Medicaid. "Having a baby is an exciting and joyous occasion, but for many women it can also be the most challenging time of their lives. A new baby is exhausting and can take a toll on a woman's mental and physical health," said DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson. "We are grateful to Gov. Evers for recognizing that all Wisconsin moms deserve access to healthcare after giving birth. Now Medicaid can support new moms and their babies when they need it most." The extension of Medicaid postpartum coverage will take effect July 1, 2026. DHS will be sending communications to Medicaid members and providers impacted by these laws in the near future. |
| An online version of this release is available here. |
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| Office of the Governor • 115 East Capitol, Madison, WI 53702 | |
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The Office of the Governor of the State of Wisconsin published this content on April 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 20, 2026 at 22:05 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]