Gail’s Law would expand breast cancer screening insurance coverage in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - A bill to reduce financial barriers for breast cancer screenings is advancing through the Wisconsin Legislature.

Gail’s Law passed the state Senate 32-1 on Tuesday and now heads to the Assembly. The legislation would require insurance companies to cover follow-up breast cancer screenings for women with dense breast tissue and other high-risk factors.

An estimated early half of all women have dense breast tissue, making traditional mammograms often unable to detect cancer. Additional screenings like MRIs are frequently out-of-pocket expenses, creating cost barriers for many Wisconsinites.

Tammy Brown, a breast cancer survivor, paid nearly $1,000 out of pocket for an ultrasound after a mammogram found a suspicious lump. The test confirmed stage one breast cancer.

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