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2013 State Policy Priorities

Our Priorities for this session:

 #1: Ensure access to breast cancer screening and treatment for low income women.
Approximately 4700 Wisconsin women receive a breast cancer diagnosis annually. The Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition is extremely disappointed that Governor Walker has chosen not to take advantage of Medicaid expansion funds to ensure that all low-income women have access to quality and affordable screening, high risk assessments and breast cancer treatment.

We strongly encourage legislators to reject Governor Walker’s entitlement reform plan and work to provide more access to health care for low income residents, rather than less.


#2: Oral Chemotherapy Access
Many health plans do not cover oral or self-administered anti-cancer medications at the same level as intraveneous anti-cancer medications, administered in a hospital setting. Oral medications are covered under the pharmacy benefit, rather than medical, of insurance plans. This leaves patients and their families often paying high percentage co-insurance to access their medications, or putting their chemotherapy treatments financially out of reach .

The WBCC encourages legislators to support Oral Chemotherapy Access legislation when introduced.


#3: Protect the Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act (WFMLA)
In 1988, Wisconsin was one of the first states to pass Family and Medical Leave. Five years later, Congress followed Wisconsin’s lead and created a federal FMLA. WFMLA is good for Wisconsin because it doesn’t force cancer patients to choose between their financial stability and their health. It is also good for the economy because nearly 25% of adults in the United States have lost their jobs, or were threatened with termination, for taking off time when battling a serious illness or caring for a seriously ill family member.

The WBCC encourages legislators to reject any efforts to repeal WFMLA

STATE ADVOCACY DAY