Dems propose new bills focused on women’s health

By Shamane Mills, Wisconsin Public Radio, Superior Telegram

 

 

Democrats are out with two proposals regarding women's health they say would save the state money and improve women's well being.

 

Democrats will try to reverse laws passed by the Republican majority this summer. Those laws prevented Planned Parenthood from getting about a million dollars. They also restricted how many women could get family planning services by changing income eligibility levels. Madison Rep. Helen Kelda Roys is one of the bill's authors. She says cancer screenings and contraceptives save money in the long run.

 

"And I ask my colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle who are concerned about efficient use of taxpayer dollars to join me in this effort,” she said. “To join all of us in trying to restore basic access to health care for women."

 

At a time when the state's focus is on jobs, advocates for the women's health bills point to the fact that more than 65 percent of Wisconsin women work. Rep. Christine Sinicki of Milwaukee says that employers want to keep productivity high.

 

"One of the most urgent reasons to invest in the comprehensive health care for women is to help them go to work every day, help them stay in their jobs long term,’ she said.

Democrats also say they'll oppose an effort to repeal comprehensive sex education in the schools.