Current Legislation - State
Legislative Information Center
Welcome to the Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Information Center. Here you can stay on top of the latest legislative action and find your legislators.
Keep track of federal right-to-life legislative issues by visiting National Right to Life.
Have questions about legislation? Send us an email.
The 2007-2008 session of the Wisconsin State Legislature ended on March 13, 2008. Any legislation that was not passed by both the State Senate and the State Assembly is now dead. In January 2009, after the fall election, new legislation can be introduced.
Current Issues and Legislation - Wisconsin
Coercive Abortion Prevention Act – AB 427 and SB 218
Wisconsin Partial-Birth Abortion Ban – AB 710 and SB 416
Repeal of Wisconsin's Law Protecting Unborn Children – SB 398 and AB 749
Preventing Research on Human Embryos – AB 770 and SB 499
Equal Rights Amendment to Wisconsin Constitution – SJR 2
Physician-Assisted Suicide – SB 151 and AB 298
Campaign Finance Restrictions on Free Speech – SB 77
Public Financing of Political Campaigns – SB 171
Publicly Financed Health Care Reform – SB 51, AB 94, SB 40 (Healthy WI) and SB 562 (Healthy WI)
We Support This Legislation
Coercive Abortion Prevention Act – AB 427 and SB 218
Overview: Authored by Rep. Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin), Rep. Pat Strachota (R-West Bend), Sen. Roger Breske (D-Eland), and Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), the Coercive Abortion Prevention Act would protect women who are being coerced into having an abortion. A woman has a right to refuse to consent to an abortion. Her consent is not voluntary if any person is using coercion to compel her to consent to an abortion against her will. This legislation would act as a deterrent to coerced abortion by requiring the abortion provider to highlight the fact that it is against the law for an abortion to be performed on a woman against her will. A pregnant woman who is being threatened with physical harm unless she submits to an unwanted abortion will no longer be without options. This bill would require that women in these situations be informed of resources for victims of domestic abuse. Wisconsin Right to Life is the lead organization promoting the Coercive Abortion Prevention Act.
Current Status: Assembly Bill 427 was introduced on June 21, 2007 and referred to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics. Senate Bill 218 was introduced on June 19, 2007 and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance, and Job Creation (formerly the committee on Health and Human Services). SB 218 is the companion bill to AB 427.
On September 13, 2007, the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics held a public hearing on AB 427. The committee adopted a clarifying amendment to the bill and voted to recommend passage of the bill, as amended, on September 18, 2007 by a vote of 8-2. On October 30, 2007, the full Assembly passed AB 427, as amended, by a vote of 65-32.
On November 9, 2007, AB 427 was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance, and Job Creation. On March 11, 2008, while the State Senate was in a floor session, Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin)
moved that the rules be suspended and that AB 427 be withdrawn from the senate committee and taken up for a floor vote at that time. The motion was defeated by a vote of 18-15 (2/3 vote required).
The pro-abortion State Senate Democratic leadership refused to take action on AB 427 or SB 218 and the bills died at the end of the legislative session on March 13, 2008.
Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Analysis:
Coercive Abortion Prevention Act
Wisconsin Right to Life Public Testimony / Public Statements:
Testimony of Susan Armacost on AB 427
Testimony of Anna Anderson on AB 427
Testimony of Jennifer Hennes on AB 427
Testimony of Janet Hurguy on AB 427
Testimony of Erin Peterson on AB 427
Testimony of Luana Stoltenberg on AB 427
Testimony of Jeanne Ullenberg on AB 427
Testimony of Robin Willegal on AB 427
Coercive Abortion Prevention Act (AB 427) Would Address the Growing Problem of Forced Abortions
Major National Organization Endorses the Coercive Abortion Prevention Act (AB 427)
Coercive Abortion Prevention Act Passes Assembly by Strong Margin
What You Can Do: Please review the Votes on AB 427, below, to see how your State Assembly Representative voted on passage and how your State Senator voted on the pulling motion.
If your State Assembly Representative voted for passage of AB 427 or if your State Senator voted in favor of the pulling motion, please contact your representative or senator and thank him or her for supporting AB 427, the Coercive Abortion Protection Act.
If your State Assembly Representative voted against passage of AB 427 or if your State Senator voted against the pulling motion, please contact your representative or senator and politely let him or her know how disappointed you are.
If you are not sure who your State Assembly Representative or your State Senator is, click on the Find Your Legislator link below. From there you can find your elected officials and write, call or e-mail them.
Link to actual text of legislation:
Assembly Bill 427
Amendment 1 to AB 427
Senate Bill 218
How they voted on this legislation: Votes on AB 427
Find Your Legislator
Back to the Top
We Support This Legislation
Wisconsin Partial-Birth Abortion Ban – AB 710 and SB 416
Overview: Authored by Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon) and Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) , the Wisconsin Partial-Birth Abortion Ban would create a state ban on partial-birth abortion that mirrors the language of the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 which was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court on April 18, 2007. The Court specifically upheld the lack of a health exception in the federal ban on partial-birth abortion.
Even though the federal ban makes partial-birth abortions illegal nationwide, it is still necessary to have a parallel state ban. The most important reason for Wisconsin to pass its own ban on partial-birth abortion is because the federal ban could be repealed and then partial-birth abortions would be legal in Wisconsin and all other states again. It is also important for individual states to pass their own bans on partial-birth abortion because with just a federal ban, prosecution of partial-birth abortion cases would only be handled by federal prosecutors. Prosecution of partial-birth abortion cases are best handled when state and local prosecutors also have the tools they need to ensure that the ban on partial-birth abortions is expeditiously enforced. A parallel state ban is essential to allow state and local prosecutors to become involved as well. Wisconsin Right to Life is the lead organization promoting the Wisconsin Partial Birth Abortion Ban.
Current Status: Assembly Bill 710 was introduced on January 18, 2008 and referred to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics. Senate Bill 416 was introduced on January 25, 2008 and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance, and Job Creation. SB 416 is the companion bill to AB 710.
On January 31, 2008, the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics held a public hearing on AB 710. The committee voted to recommend passage of AB 710 on February 21, 2008 by a vote of 7-3. On February 28, 2008, after defeating two amendments, the full Assembly passed AB 710 by a vote of 59-38. Assembly Amendment 1 to AB 710 would have added a gutting "health" exception to the partial-birth abortion ban. This amendment was defeated by a vote of 54-43. Assembly Amendment 2 to AB 710 would have added a rape and incest exception to an unrelated statute - section 940.04, Wisconsin's ban on all abortions which cannot be enforced because of the Roe v. Wade decision. The second amendment was defeated by a vote of 54-43.
On March 3, 2008, AB 710 was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance, and Job Creation. The pro-abortion State Senate Democratic leadership refused to take action on AB 710 or SB 416 and the bills died at the end of the legislative session on March 13, 2008.
Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Analysis:
Partial Birth Abortion Ban
Wisconsin Right to Life Public Testimony / Public Statements:
Testimony of Attorney General Van Hollen on AB 710
Testimony of Susan Armacost on AB 710
Testimony of Brenda Pratt Shafer before federal Judiciary Committee on March 21, 1996
Testimony of Dr. Susan Haack on AB 710
Testimony of Dr. Matthew Lee on AB 710
Testimony of Dr. Julie Mickelson on AB 710
Testimony of Dr. Elizabeth Shadigian on AB 710
Testimony of Mike Bowen on AB 710
Tremendous Victory for Unborn Children as U. S. Supreme Court Upholds Federal Ban on Partial-Birth Abortion
Time to Move Forward with New State Partial-Birth Abortion Ban
Hearing Tomorrow (Jan. 31) on Wisconsin Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act
State Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Approved by Committee
Two Huge Right to Life Issues Before State Legislature This Week
What You Can Do: Please review the Votes on AB 710, below, to see how your State Assembly Representative voted. Except as noted below, if he or she voted for passage of AB 710, please contact your representative and thank him or her for supporting AB 710, the Wisconsin Partial-Birth Abortion Ban.
However, there are five legislators who voted for passage of AB 710, who also voted for Amendment 1 to AB 710 which would have gutted the bill by adding a "health" exception to the ban on partial-birth abortion -- Representatives Cullen, Hixson, Hubler, Jorgensen and Van Akkeren. Wisconsin Right to Life considers a vote in favor of a "health" exception to be a vote against the partial-birth abortion ban itself. These five legislators should not be thanked.
If your representative voted against passage of AB 710, please contact your representative and politely let him or her know how disappointed you are.
If you are not sure who your State Assembly Representative is, click on the Find Your Legislator link below. From there you can find your elected officials and write, call or e-mail them.
Link to actual text of legislation:
Assembly Bill 710
Amendment 1 to AB 710
Amendment 2 to AB 710
Senate Bill 416
How they voted on this legislation: Votes on AB 710
Find Your Legislator
Back to the Top
We Oppose This Legislation
Repeal of Wisconsin’s Law Protecting Unborn Children – SB 398 and AB 749
Overview: Section 940.04, the Wisconsin ban on abortion, prohibits abortion at any stage of pregnancy, unless the abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother. Only the person performing the abortion can be penalized under Wisconsin law. Section 940.13, which was enacted in 1985, clearly states that a woman cannot be prosecuted, fined or imprisoned for obtaining an abortion. If Roe v. Wade is reversed, then s. 940.04, as modified by s. 940.13, would immediately be enforceable.
Pro-abortion legislators have introduced legislation to expressly repeal s. 940.04. They have attempted to repeal s. 940.04 several times in the past but Wisconsin Right to Life has been successful in defeating those efforts. It is critical that any effort to repeal s. 940.04 be defeated. Wisconsin Right to Life is the lead organization opposing the repeal of section 940.04, Wisconsin’s law protecting unborn children from abortion.
Current Status: Senate Bill 398 was introduced on January 17, 2008 and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance, and Job Creation. Assembly Bill 749 was introduced on February 4, 2008 and referred to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics. AB 749 is the companion bill to SB 398.
On February 27, 2008, the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance, and Job Creation held a public hearing on SB 398. The pro-abortion State Senate Democratic leadership did not count on the tremendous public outrage over their attempt to take s. 940.04 off the books. Over 500 right-to-life citizens from all over the State of Wisconsin came to the public hearing on this bill to firmly and politely let the committee members know that they wanted to SAVE 940.04. Several experts came to authoritatively testify that abortion hurts women. Concrete evidence was presented to establish the falsehood of the outrageous claims by Planned Parenthood and NARAL that women who obtain abortions would go to jail if our abortion ban became enforceable again.
As a result of the tremendous support for saving 940.04, the bill to repeal the ban on abortion died when the legislative session ended on March 13, 2008.
Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Analysis:
Wisconsin ’s Law Protecting Unborn Children
Wisconsin Right to Life Public Testimony / Public Statements:
Testimony of Barbara Lyons on SB398
Testimony of Dr. Vincent Rue on SB398
Testimony of Dr. Timothy Deerling on SB398
Testimony of Dr. Julie Mickelson on SB398
Testimony of Dr. Mark Gaulke on SB398
Testimony of Anna Anderson on SB398
Testimony of Joann Jones Holden on SB398
Testimony of Vera Faith Lord on SB398
Testimony of Sheila Luck on SB398
Testimony of Karen Mahoney on SB398
Testimony of Lena Wood on SB398
Testimony of Hallie Wiertzema on SB398
Teens for Life testimonies --
Testimony of Alyssa Allbaugh on SB398
Testimony of Carla Borstad on SB398
Testimony of Priscilla Breininger on SB398
Testimony of Tatiana Elowson on SB398
Testimony of Emily Moe on SB398
Testimony of Angel Petite on SB398
Testimony of Anna Shirek on SB398
Testimony of Mariah Smet on SB398
Huge Abortion Battle Looming
Earth to Berceau ... Women Will Not Be Prosecuted for Abortions!
Two Huge Right to Life Issues Before State Legislature This Week
Right-to-lifers inundate Senate hearing to oppose repeal of Wisconsin's abortion ban
What You Can Do: No action is needed at this time. We expect pro-abortion legislators to re-introduce this legislation when the next legislative session begins in January, 2009. We will keep you posted. Saving section 940.04, Wisconsin’s law protecting unborn children from abortion, is our top legislative priority.
Link to actual text of legislation:
Senate Bill 398
Assembly Bill 749
How they voted on this legislation: There are no recorded votes.
Find Your Legislator
Back to the Top
We Oppose This Legislation
Preventing Tax Benefits for Research on Human Embryos – AB 770 and SB 499
Overview: Authored by Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) and Sen. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls), this legislation would create tax credits and exemptions for research conducted in Wisconsin. Recognizing that these tax benefits would also apply to destructive embryo research, Wisconsin Right to Life led the charge to have an amendment drafted which would prevent these tax benefits from applying to corporations and persons involved in the destruction of human embryos, the use of cells or tissues derived from the destruction of human embryos, the creation of human embryos for research purposes, or the cloning of human embryos for any purpose. This amendment was authored by Rep. Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake) and was introduced as Assembly Amendment 4 to AB 770. Wisconsin Right to Life is the lead organization opposing AB 770 unless it was amended by the Kestell amendment.
Current Status: Assembly Bill 770 was introduced on February 6, 2008 and referred to the Assembly Committee on Jobs and the Economy. Senate Bill 499 was introduced on February 15, 2008 and referrred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions. SB 499 is the companion bill to AB 770.
On February 28, 2008, the full Assembly adopted the Kestell amendment (amendment 4) to AB 770 by a voice vote and then proceeded to pass AB 770, as amended, by a large margin. On March 3, 2008, AB 770, as amended by the Kestell amendment, was referred to the Senate Committee on Tax Fairness and Family Prosperity.
Sen. Kanavas (R-Brookfield) had an amendment to SB 499 drafted that was identical to the Kestell amendment and was prepared to introduce it if there was any action on SB 499.
The pro-abortion State Senate Democratic leadership refused to take action on AB 770 or SB 499 and the bills died at the end of the legislative session on March 13, 2008.
Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Analysis:
Wisconsin Right to Life Public Testimony / Public Statements:
AB 770 (Research Tax Credits) Must Be Amended
What You Can Do: Please contact Rep. Steve Kestell and thank him for authoring Assembly Amendment 4 to AB 770 which prevented tax benefits for destructive research on human embryos. Click on the Find Your Legislator link below to find Rep. Kestell and write, call or e-mail him.
Link to actual text of legislation:
Assembly Bill 770
Senate Bill 499
Kestell amendment to AB 770
How they voted on this legislation: There are no recorded votes.
Find Your Legislator
Back to the Top
We Oppose This Legislation
Equal Rights Amendment to Wisconsin’s Constitution – SJR 2
Overview: This legislation is authored by Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) and Rep. Joe Parisi (D-Madison). Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJR 2) is an equal rights amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution. The Erpenbach measure would add to the Wisconsin State Constitution the following language: "All persons are guaranteed equal protection of the laws and no law shall discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, age, or ancestry. The government shall protect and secure these equal rights of the governed."
Wisconsin Right to Life is opposed to SJR 2 in its current form because the portion granting equal rights based on sex has been used as a pro-abortion weapon to require tax-funded abortion on demand. It can also be used to invalidate other limitations on abortion. These results can be avoided if an abortion neutralization provision is added to SJR 2. It would read, “Nothing in this article shall be construed to grant, secure, or deny any right relating to abortion or the funding thereof.” This language would not change the current legal status of abortion in Wisconsin, nor would it permit the equal rights amendment itself to be employed for anti-abortion purposes. It would simply make SJR 2 neutral regarding abortion. If this abortion neutralization provision is added to SJR 2, then Wisconsin Right to Life would remove its opposition. Wisconsin Right to Life is the lead organization opposing the equal rights amendment unless it is amended to be neutral on abortion.
Current Status: Senate Joint Resolution 2 was introduced on January 9, 2008 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections and Housing. No action was taken on this resolution and it died at the end of the legislative session on March 13, 2008.
Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Analysis:
Wisconsin Right to Life Public Testimony / Public Statements:
January 16, 2007 memo to State Lawmakers from Susan Armacost
What You Can Do: No action is needed at this time.
Link to actual text of legislation:
Senate Joint Resolution 2
How they voted on this legislation: There are no recorded votes.
Find Your Legislator
Back to the Top
We Oppose This Legislation
Physician-Assisted Suicide — SB 151 and AB 298
Overview: Authored by Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison) and Rep. Frank Boyle (D-Superior), this legislation would legalize the killing of vulnerable patients by allowing their physicians to prescribe lethal doses of drugs so the patients can kill themselves. There are many dangers to the patient and to society when healing and killing are considered equally valid options for patients. We must guard against “choices” which victimize the vulnerable, ourselves and society as a whole. Doctors should heal, not kill. Wisconsin Right to Life has been in the forefront on both the state and national levels in opposing measures that would legalize physician-assisted suicide and in assisting other states facing such legislation.
Current Status: On April 19, 2007, Senate Bill 151 was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Public Health, Senior Issues, Long Term Care and Privacy. On April 30, 2007, Assembly Bill 298 was introduced and referred to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics. AB 298 is the companion bill to SB 151.
On January 23, 2008, the Senate Committee on Public Health, Senior Issues, Long Term Care and Privacy held a public hearing on SB 151. No further action was taken on SB 151 and no action at all was taken on AB 298. Both bills died at the end of the legislative session on March 13, 2008.
Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Analysis:
Wisconsin Right to Life Public Testimony / Public Statements:
Testimony of Susan Armacost on SB 151
Testimony of Rita Marker on SB 151
Testimony of Dr. Michael Claessens on SB 151
Testimony of Dr. Patrick Sura on SB 151
Testimony of Dr. Paul Young on SB 151
Testimony of Dr. Robert Woodson on SB 151
Testimony of Joy Kragenbrink on SB 151
Testimony of Scott Southworth on SB 151
Risser/Boyle Assisted Suicide Measure is a Human Rights Atrocity … It is NOT “Medical Progress!”
Public Hearing on Onerous Assisted Suicide Bill
What You Can Do: No action is needed at this time. We expect this legislation to be re-introduced in the next legislative session which begins in January, 2009. We will keep you posted.
Links to actual text of legislation:
Senate Bill 151
Assembly Bill 298
How they voted on this legislation: There are no recorded votes..
Find Your Legislator
Back to the Top
We Oppose This Legislation
Campaign Finance Restrictions on Free Speech – SB 77
Overview: There were several campaign finance proposals this session which would make numerous changes in Wisconsin’s campaign finance laws. The changes that would take place under the campaign finance proposals include several onerous provisions requiring citizen groups, like Wisconsin Right to Life, to submit to unwieldy reporting requirements, making it extremely difficult for Wisconsin Right to Life to freely engage in political discourse at election time. Wisconsin Right to Life’s constitutional right to disseminate the voting records of office holders and the positions of political candidates to the public on right-to-life issues would be severely curtailed under the campaign finance proposals. These proposals are an affront to our nation’s cherished First Amendment right to freedom of speech. Wisconsin Right to Life is the lead organization opposing campaign finance proposals that infringe our First Amendment rights.
Current Status: The most prominent campaign finance proposal was Senate Bill 77. SB 77, authored by Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) and Rep. Dave Travis (D-Waunakee), was introduced on February 28, 2007 and referred to the Senate Committee on Campaign Finance Reform, Rural Issues and Information Technology. A public hearing was held on May 1, 2007 and the committee voted to recommend passage of SB 77 by a vote of 4-1. SB 77 was passed by the state senate on May 9, 2007 by a vote of 26-7. On May 23, 2007, SB 77 was referred to the Assembly Committee on Elections and Constitutional Law. No further action was taken on SB 77 and the bill died at the end of the legislative session on March 13, 2008.
Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Analysis:
Wisconsin Right to Life Public Testimony / Public Statements:
Testimony of Susan Armacost on SB 77 and SB 171
Committee to Vote on “the Politicians Protection Act” (SB 77) and “The Welfare for Politicians Act” (SB 171)
What You Can Do: No action is needed at this time. We expect more campaign finance proposals to be re-introduced in the next legislative session which begins in January, 2009. We will keep you posted.
Links to actual text of legislation:
Senate Bill 77
How they voted on this legislation: Votes on SB 77
Find Your Legislator
Back to the Top
We Oppose This Legislation
Public Financing of Political Campaigns – SB 171
Overview: Senate Bill 171 creates a mechanism to force taxpayers to pay for the campaigns of candidates for the office of justice of the supreme court in Wisconsin. SB 171 would make taxpayer dollars available for financing these political campaigns. Wisconsin Right to Life strenuously opposes the use of tax dollars to fund the elections of any candidate for any political office. What this amounts to is forcing taxpayers to foot the bill for the campaign expenses of candidates they may oppose and not want elected. Wisconsin citizens want to decide for themselves if they want to contribute to a politician’s campaign and to whom they will contribute. Wisconsin Right to Life is the lead organization opposing proposals for the public financing of political campaigns.
Current Status: Senate Bill 171, authored by Sen. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls) and Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh), was introduced on April 27, 2007 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Campaign Finance Reform, Rural Issues and Information Technology. A public hearing was held on May 1, 2007 and the committee recommended passage on May 8, 2007 by a vote of 3-2. On February 19, 2008, SB 171 was passed by the State Senate by a vote of 23-10. On March 13, 2008, SB 171 was referred to the Assembly Committee on Elections and Constitutional Law. No further action was taken on SB 171 and the bill died at the end of the legislative session on March 13, 2008.
Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Analysis:
Wisconsin Right to Life Public Testimony / Public Statements:
Testimony of Susan Armacost on SB 77 and SB 171
Committee to Vote on "The Politician's Protection Act" (SB77) and "The Welfare for Politicians Act" (SB 171)
What You Can Do: No action is needed at this time. We expect this legislation to be re-introduced in the next legislative session which begins in January, 2009. We will keep you posted.
Links to actual text of legislation:
Senate Bill 171
How they voted on this legislation: Votes on SB 171
Find Your Legislator
Back to the Top
We Oppose This Legislation
Publicly Financed Health Care Reform – SB 51, AB 94, SB 40 (Healthy WI) and SB 562 (Healthy WI)
Overview: The state legislature considered a number of proposals that would reform the Wisconsin health care system. Wisconsin Right to Life does not have a position on health care reform itself. However, we oppose any health care reform proposal that would permit abortion coverage, require taxpayer funding for abortion, discriminate against pregnant women, or that would not adequately protect the health care needs of older people, the infirm or those with disabilities. Wisconsin Right to Life is the lead organization monitoring health care reform proposals to make sure they protect the value and dignity of human life from conception until natural death.
The primary health care reform proposal that was being considered is the "Healthy Wisconsin" plan which is a publicly financed, universal health plan that would replace the private health care plans in Wisconsin with a plan that provides the same benefits available under the state employee health plans. The key right-to-life issue about the Healthy Wisconsin plan is abortion coverage. The authors of this plan claim that it only covers “therapeutic abortions”. In reality, the state employee health plan can cover all abortions. State employees are actually offered two plans: (1) the Standard Plan which expressly covers “legal abortions,” and (2) a choice of many HMO plans which are required to provide the “Uniform Benefits” plan. The Uniform Benefits plan provides coverage for “therapeutic abortions,” but it does not define this term. Typical definitions of therapeutic abortion cover abortions for the mother’s “health.” “Health” in the abortion context has been broadly defined by the U.S. Supreme Court and in practice covers all abortions. Consequently, the Healthy Wisconsin Plan would be the only health plan available to most Wisconsin residents and taxpayers would be forced to pay for the abortions of any woman, for any reason, at any time during pregnancy for as many times as a woman would choose to have an abortion.
Current Status: (1) Senate Bill 51, authored by Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona) and Rep. Chuck Benedict (D-Beloit), was introduced on February 20, 2007 and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance, and Job Creation (formerly the committee on Health and Human Services). SB 51 would create a publicly financed health care system for Wisconsin residents. SB 51 is silent on abortion; however, abortion coverage would be included under the broad language for medical coverage and abortion coverage is not expressly excluded.
Beginning on March 8, 2007, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held public hearings on SB 51 and other health care reform plans at Green Bay, Eau Claire and Bristol (near Kenosha). SB 51 and AB 94 are companion bills. No further action was taken on SB 51 and the bill died at the end of the legislative session on March 13, 2008.
(2) Assembly Bill 94, authored by Rep. Chuck Benedict (D-Beloit) and Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona), was introduced on February 22, 2007 and referred to the Assembly Committee on Health and Health Care Reform. AB 94 is the companion bill to SB 51. No action was taken on AB 94 and the bill died at the end of the legislative session on March 13, 2008.
(3) Senate Bill 40, the bi-annual state budget submitted by Governor Jim Doyle, was introduced on February 14, 2007. On June 25, 2007 the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held a public hearing on a universal health care plan known as the “Healthy Wisconsin" plan which was drafted as an amendment to SB 40. On June 26, 2007, the Senate Democrats adopted an amendment the state budget containing the Healthy Wisconsin plan by a vote of 18-15. On July 10, 2007, the Assembly Republicans amended SB 40 to take out the Healthy Wisconsin plan. From July 17, 2007 until October 23, 2007, a conference committee met to work out the differences between the two budget proposals. On October 23, both the Assembly and the Senate adopted the conference committee version of the state budget which did not contain the Healthy Wisconsin plan.
(4) Senate Bill 562, the Healthy Wisconsin plan authored by Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton), was introduced on March 5, 2008 and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance, and Job Creation. SB 562 is virtually identical to the version of "Healthy Wisconsin" in the SB 40, the state budget. A public hearing was held on SB 562 on March 10, 2008. No further action was taken on SB 562 and the bill died at the end of the legislative session on March 13, 2008.
Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Analysis:
Wisconsin Right to Life Position on Health Care Reform
Wisconsin Right to Life Public Testimony / Public Statements:
Testimony of Susan Armacost on SB 562
Senate Democrat State Health Insurance Plan Equals Taxpayer-Funded Abortions
Wake Up, Wisconsin Taxpayers! Under “Healthy Wisconsin” You Will Pay for Abortion on Demand
Wisconsin Abortions Will Skyrocket Under "Healthy Wisconsin"
Misinformation From "Healthy Wisconsin" Supporters Regarding Taxpayer-Funded Abortions
Wisconsin Right to Life Lauds Exclusion of "Healthy Wisconsin" in Budget
March 12, 2008 Memo to State Senators opposing SB 562
What You Can Do: No action is needed at this time. We expect the Healthy Wisconsin plan to be re-introduced when the next legislative session begins in January, 2009. We will keep you posted.
Links to actual text of legislation:
Senate Bill 51
Assembly Bill 94
Senate Bill 40 (state budget) – Healthy WI amendment (on pages 241 - 270)
Senate Bill 562 (Healthy WI)
How they voted on this legislation: Vote on Healthy WI amendment to SB 40
Find Your Legislator
Back to the Top
|