Contraception Bill Advances

I am extremely grateful that the Wisconsin State Assembly passed my bill this week that would, under specific conditions, allow pharmacists to prescribe certain forms of birth control.

Under current state law, hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives – including common birth control pills – are only available through a prescription from a physician or an advanced practice nurse who has met the required qualifications.

My bill, AB 304, adds pharmacists to the list of healthcare providers who are allowed to prescribe contraceptive patches and pills in Wisconsin.

I am very pleased that the Assembly agrees with the overwhelming majority of the medical community that today’s birth control pills are so safe the government shouldn’t be putting up artificial barriers to prevent women from being able to conveniently obtain these contraceptives.

While any medication has the potential to cause undesirable side effects in some individuals, more than 100 organizations – including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians and American Nurses Association – believe birth control pills are so benign they should be available over-the-counter and without a prescription. However, only the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has the authority to make that decision.

I respect that people may have a moral objection to birth control. Nevertheless, it is not the role of government to impose our morality onto others, especially when there is no medical basis to do so. I put my trust in the medical experts who have vast experience and knowledge in this area.

According to the latest available statistics, nearly half of all pregnancies in Wisconsin and the nation are unplanned, with state and federal taxpayers spending $21 billion a year on related medical care. Close to 45 percent of unplanned pregnancies are aborted and almost 65 percent of unintended births in Wisconsin are publicly-funded, costing state taxpayers about $314 million annually.

The state of Oregon, which passed a bill similar to AB 304 in 2015, saw a decrease of 50 unplanned pregnancies and saved an estimated $1.6 million in associated taxpayer costs in the first two years the law went into effect.

Under AB 304, women who are seeking to obtain birth control from a pharmacy must participate in a self-assessment questionnaire and undergo a blood pressure screening administered by a pharmacist. If there are any red flags, the pharmacist can then refer the patient to their physician for a prescription. The bill only applies to those who are 18 years of age and older.

If you are interested in watching the floor speech I gave on my legislation, please click on this link. 

The bill now needs to be passed by the Wisconsin State Senate before it can be signed into law.

Water Policy Summit

It was a tremendous honor to co-host the first-ever Water Policy Summit with U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher last week in Green Bay.

Rep. Gallagher and I were joined by other legislators, water policy experts, scientists, farmers and local constituents to discuss Wisconsin’s water issues and how, collectively as a state, we can solve those problems.

Also in attendance was Department of Natural Resources Secretary-designee Preston Cole, who shed some light on where the DNR’s focus will be in the next year: groundwater contamination, but more specifically, nitrates and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS.

Nitrates, which can occur naturally in our groundwater, come from farms, septic systems, fertilizers and various other sources. We currently don’t have enough information on PFAS and their impacts are currently being studied. However, they are found in numerous products such as firefighting foams and non-stick pan coatings like Teflon. It is important to address these water contaminators because both nitrates and PFAS can cause serious health problems.

Kevin Masarik, a groundwater education specialist at UW-Stevens Point, also discussed health issues related to private wells. Nitrates have become prevalent in private wells, which aren’t tested the same as public water systems. According to the DNR, around 47 percent of Wisconsin’s private wells are not meeting public health standards.

Another speaker at the summit was Dan Egan, an award-winning writer who authored "The Death and Life of the Great Lakes." I had the opportunity to sit down with him and lead a question and answer segment where he talked about his findings and the changes the Great Lakes are experiencing through invasive species, human involvement and other factors.

When asked about his thoughts on the biggest threat to the Great Lakes right now, he answered, “our own ignorance.” He further implied that no matter how large the lakes are, we can still create lasting negative impacts that will affect those bodies of water for years to come. 

Davina Bonness, a county conservationist for the Kewaunee County Land and Water Conservation Department, also spoke at the summit. Davina explained how Kewaunee County has worked with farmers and property owners to improve water quality and land use. She noted that the success Kewaunee County has had with water quality and land use is due in part to initiating the conversations with everyone involved and working together to solve the problem.

The overall theme of the summit was recognizing the importance of taking action now to correct our water issues. I believe it is important that, as a state, we take the necessary steps to improve our water quality. Whether it be researchers, policymakers, elected officials or the general public, we all need to do our part in preserving clean water for ourselves and generations to come.

If you would like to watch a portion of the Water Policy Summit, please click on this link. I have a great working relationship with Rep. Gallagher and I hope that we can do more events like this in the future to raise further awareness about water quality, which in turn will help us with developing more viable solutions.  

Veterans Day  

Please click on the photo above to view my Veterans Day message.

You can also watch the video on my YouTube channel by clicking on this link.

Upcoming District Events

What: Merry-Time Festival of Trees
Where: Door County Maritime Museum, 120 N. Madison St., Sturgeon Bay, WI
When: Saturday, Nov. 9, through Tuesday, Dec. 10
Details: "Joyously celebrate the holidays by enjoying dozens of beautifully decorated Christmas trees scattered throughout the Museum's galleries. Explore the museum and stroll through a sparkling forest of holiday trees, wreaths, and holiday items donated by our community for raffle and auction. Visit dcmm.org for more details."

What: Beauty and the Beast
Where: Southern Door Auditorium, 2073 Cty DK, Brussels, WI
When: Friday, Nov. 8, through Sunday, Nov. 10 
Details: "Presented by the Southern Door High School. The story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast who is really a prince trapped under the spell of the enchantress. This "tale as old as time" is a must see for all ages. $11/adults. $10/ages 62+. $7/youth."

What: Ukulele Society of Door County Jam
Where: YMCA's Northern Door Program Center, 3866 Gibraltar Road, Fish Creek, WI
When: Sunday, Nov. 10, starting at 1 p.m.
Details: "Open to all ukulele players and skill levels. Locals and tourists welcome. For more information email dcukesociety@gmail.com. Free."