Assembly Democrats introduce legislation to restore women’s access to healthcare.
Members of the Women’s Health Workgroup are circulating three health care bills. Representative Chris Taylor (D-Madison) explains Healthy Women, Healthy Families Part-1 restores funding to health care providers that serve communities across the state. “Governor Walker and the legislative Republicans have really decimated Wisconsin’s family planning program that’s been around for more than three decades and serves more than 33,000 women throughout this state.”
Taylor says women and families need access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, well women exams, and access to birth control.
Representative Kelda Helen Roys (D-Madison) says Healthy Women Part-2 restores the Family Planning Waiver to 2010 levels to reinstate access for low-income families. “It’s the best defense we have against skyrocketing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.”
Roys says one in four teens have a sexually transmitted disease; teen pregnancies cost taxpayers $168 million per year.
Also, Representative Chris Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) is circulating a resolution naming October as Women’s Health Month.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:24