By Sue Sveum | Photography by Hillary Schave
It may not impact you today — but someday, if you, a loved one or a friend faces the possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis, Gail’s Law could make a meaningful difference.
Why? Forty to 50% of women over 40 have dense breast tissue, making it hard to detect tumors with a mammogram alone. This Wisconsin bill requires insurance companies to cover diagnostic and supplemental screenings for those with dense breasts or an increased risk of breast cancer. Named for Gail Zeamer, who passed away in 2024 after years of battling her own late-stage breast cancer diagnosis — while fighting to get legislation passed for other women — Gail’s Law is a game changer.
“It was Gail driving it,” explains Ashley Inda, who got involved in the cause after her own stage-three breast cancer diagnosis. “I felt a lump and was told it was ‘just dense tissue.’ I had an ultrasound after my mammogram but I didn’t understand that dense tissue could hide cancer or that MRI was a more sensitive option for detecting cancers that other imaging can miss. That’s why Gail’s Law is so personal to me — I want women to understand their breast density, know their options and have access to the additional imaging they may need with no out-of-pocket costs.” Gail’s daughter, Sophie Zeamer, says her family got involved to make a difference for other women.
“When my mom’s life came to an end, the bill didn’t — so we decided as a family this is something we could do to honor her while working through our own grief. It was her selflessness that led me to push for this life-saving legislation — as a remembrance of her and her legacy,” says Sophie.
Gail was also the driving force behind the Breast Density Notification Law, which was passed in Wisconsin in 2017. This law requires a letter be sent to any patient with dense breasts; the letter suggests that they discuss supplemental imaging with their provider.
While a mammogram is typically covered by insurance, supplemental MRIs and ultrasounds — two additional breast imaging options that are more effective for women with dense breasts (or areas of concern identified in a mammogram) — were billed to patients.
Often to the tune of $500 and up, and often, much more than that. For many women, that’s simply not affordable.
But that changed in March 2026 when Wisconsin joined 38 other states and Washington, D.C. by signing Gail’s Law (Wisconsin Act 103) into effect.
“I’d become very interested in policy change,” says Inda, now a state policy representative for the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition (WBCC), in collaboration with Early Detection Saves Lives (EDSL). “My goal was to prevent what happened to me from happening to other people.”
But that took baby steps. Just ask State Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, who co-authored the bill with State Rep. Amanda Nedweski and State Rep. Cindi Duchow after Gail, a constituent, reached out to her about coverage for screenings.
“The process spanned five years and three consecutive sessions,” explains Cabral-Guevara.
While each bill raised some resistance, each version caused conflicts regarding different areas — from co-pays to covering ultrasounds.
“But we were lucky,” notes Cabral- Guevara, “that the final form provides full coverage.”
“Advocacy takes time — especially when you’re a nonprofit going up against well-funded lobbyists,” explains Dawn Anderson, WBCC member and EDSL coalition chair, who began volunteering after both her mom and grandmother were diagnosed with breast cancer.
“That’s why legislators need to hear real life stories from constituents about the impact of a breast cancer diagnosis — what high risk means or the difference between early- and late-stage diagnosis regarding treatment and survival. Those stories are advocacy in action.”
Inda calls massive bipartisan support and great collaboration between organizations another a huge factor. “Volunteers utilized TV, radio, social media, podcasts, op-eds, letters, emails, written testimony, phone calls and face-to-face meetings with legislators,” says Inda.
Sophie says the law has already been making a difference.
“[People say] thanks everywhere we go! There’s so much relief and excitement,” she says.
Adds Anderson: “[Now], women won’t have to forgo life-saving tests because of the cost. They can catch [things] early when it’s most treatable.”
Cabral-Guevara wants everyone to spread the news far and wide about Gail’s Law.
“Tell friends, co-workers — even providers who may be unaware of the legislation. [And] sharing your [own] story? That’s golden,” says Cabral-Guevara.
Sophie says her mom would be so proud and excited the bill passed.
“She did this thinking no one should ever have to go through what our family had to,” she says.
She adds that, since Gail never wanted it to be about her, she might’ve been embarrassed that Gail’s Law is named after her.
“But our family is incredibly grateful that her name is going to live on,” she adds.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GAIL’S LAW
Here’s the lowdown on what Gail’s Law means for you. The bill:
- Removes the out-of-pocket costs associated with diagnostic and supplemental imaging (ultrasound and MRI) under Wisconsin state- regulated health plans for women with dense breasts and those at an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
- Requires that your healthcare provider will need to order your supplemental breast imaging test. Before scheduling, ask your employer’s benefits officer or insurance company to verify your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs with the current procedural terminology code provided.
- Applies to women with dense breast tissue or an increased risk of developing breast cancer. “Increased risk” includes: A lifetime breast cancer risk of 20% or greater; a personal history of breast cancer; a strong family history; or a genetic mutation or other high-risk factors.
- Includes Medicaid.
- Took effect July 1, 2026 for Medicaid and will take effect for plan years beginning January 1, 2027 for state- regulated plans. (State exemptions to Gail’s Law include: Medicare, VHA, TRICARE, self-funded plans and out-of-state plans. Federal exemptions include: VHA, Medicare and TRICARE.)
Source: Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition
Want more information? Visit:
- Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition, wibreastcancer.org
- Early Detection Saves Lives Coalition, earlydetectionwi.com
- My Density Matters, mydensitymatters.org
- Operation Breast Density, operationbreastdensity.org
- Your oncologist, gynecologist or PCP
