Wisconsin Passes 'Gail's Law' to Expand Breast Cancer Screening

Bipartisan bill heads to governor's desk after unanimous 96-0 vote in state legislature

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Wisconsin lawmakers have overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan bill, known as 'Gail's Law', that would significantly expand access to breast cancer screenings in the state. The bill is named after Gail Zeamer, a Neenah woman who died in 2024 after her breast cancer diagnosis was delayed due to dense breast tissue that mammograms sometimes fail to detect. Gail's Law requires insurance policies to cover additional screening exams for those at high risk and prohibits cost-sharing for these services.

Why it matters

Nearly 40% of women have dense breast tissue, which can make cancer harder to detect through standard mammograms alone. Gail's Law aims to improve early detection and save lives by ensuring access to supplemental screening methods for those at increased risk.

The details

Gail's Law requires health insurance policies to cover diagnostic breast exams and supplemental screening exams for people at an increased risk of breast cancer. The bill also prohibits insurers from charging any cost-sharing amounts for these services.

  • The Wisconsin state legislature passed Gail's Law in a 96-0 bipartisan vote in February 2026.
  • The bill now heads to Governor Tony Evers' desk for signature.

The players

Gail Zeamer

A Neenah woman who died in 2024 after her breast cancer diagnosis was delayed due to dense breast tissue that mammograms sometimes fail to detect.

Rachael Cabral-Guevara

A Wisconsin state senator who introduced Gail's Law, a bipartisan bill to expand access to breast cancer screenings.

Tony Evers

The governor of Wisconsin, who is expected to sign Gail's Law after its passage through the state legislature.

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What they’re saying

“I am proud to see this critical women's health initiative advance to the Governor's desk. This bill will save money, lead to better health outcomes, and most importantly, save lives. It is now time for the Governor to sign this critical bill into law.”

— Rachael Cabral-Guevara, State Senator (wearegreenbay.com)

“I am proud to lead this critical women's health initiative, which was inspired by Gail Zeamer, a fearless woman who shared her heartbreaking story of a missed diagnosis due to dense breast tissue. We have built a strong, bipartisan coalition to get this bill across the finish line. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful advocates, families, and Gail for getting the bill to this point.”

— Rachael Cabral-Guevara, State Senator (wearegreenbay.com)

What’s next

Governor Tony Evers is expected to sign Gail's Law into law in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Gail's Law represents a significant step forward in improving access to lifesaving breast cancer screenings for women with dense breast tissue, a condition that affects nearly 40% of the population. By requiring insurance coverage and prohibiting cost-sharing, the law aims to save lives through earlier detection and treatment.