Gov. Scott Walker removes most abortion coverage for Wisconsin public workers

MADISON - Most abortions for state and local workers would not be covered by their public insurance plans, under legislation signed by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Tuesday.

Assembly Bill 128 prohibits government-provided health insurance plans from paying for abortions except in cases of rape or incest or to preserve the life of the mother. The restriction would apply to state workers and thousands of local government employees who get their coverage through the state Group Insurance Board.

Democrats said the measure was unnecessary because under previous state law state health plans would pay for an abortion only if a doctor has determined it is medically necessary. But supporters argued that the state needed to tighten the policy to protect taxpayers who have religious objections to their money being used in this way.

"Wisconsin Right to Life has been waiting 23 years for this major step to roll back taxpayer funding for abortion, and we are very happy to see this long-awaited legislation signed into law,” said Heather Weininger, executive director of the anti-abortion group Wisconsin Right to Life.

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During legislative debate, Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) said the measure would make it harder for public workers who are victims of sexual assault to get abortions. They could get their abortions covered under their health plans only if they reported their assaults to police — something many victims choose not to do.

"Leave these decisions to the physicians and families who are suffering, and they are suffering when they have a wanted pregnancy that goes wrong," Taylor said then.

Sen. David Craig (R-Town of Vernon), a lead sponsor of the legislation, has said it doesn't bar women from getting abortions if they can find another way to pay for them.

The Assembly passed similar legislation in 2013, but it died because the Senate did not take it up.

Walker also signed Assembly Bill 653, which requires mammogram providers to tell women if they have what is known as "dense tissue" in their breasts. The breasts of these women have more connective and fibrous tissue, which can make it harder for mammograms to detect cancerous tumors.

The measure requires providers to give women a notice explaining that they can talk with their doctor about what the condition means and whether they need additional cancer screening. Legislation sponsor Rep. Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah) has said nearly 4 in 10 women are believed to have dense breast tissue.

Walker also signed Assembly Bill 773, which would cut in half — from six years to three — the amount of time people would have to file many types of lawsuits in state court. In addition, the measure would put limits on depositions and other forms of discovery unless agreed to by both parties in the lawsuit or ordered by a court.