| 2009-10 Legislative Session |
The 2009-10 Wisconsin Legislative Session brings great opportunities for women's health. PPAWI is excited to embark on this new legislative session and is pursuing a strong pro-active Prevention First agenda. |
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| Prevention First Agenda:
Responsible Sex Education: this bill will require schools that teach sex education to do so in a responsible, comprehensive manner that includes information about both abstinence and birth control. A 2008 CDC study revealed that 1 in 4 teenage girls have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Additionally, there are 750,000 teen pregnancies each year in the United States. By requiring age-appropriate, medically-accurate and comprehensive sex education, teens will have the tools they need to make responsible and healthy choices now, and in the future, to help prevent unintended pregnancies and STIs.
Contraceptive Equity: this LAW will require health insurance plans that cover prescription drugs to include coverage for contraceptives. Though most health insurance plans provide coverage for prescription drugs and devices, many deliberately have excluded coverage for the most used--contraceptives. Because of this inequity, women spend 68% more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men. Contraceptive Equity will go into effect on January 1, 2010.
Prescription Protection: birth control is basic health care used by over 90% of women at some point in their lives. Yet, across the country and here in Wisconsin, pharmacists have refused to fill birth control prescriptions at the pharmacy counter, putting their personal beliefs ahead of women's health. This LAW will ensure that pharmacies always have someone on staff to dispense safe, legal birth control prescriptions to ensure that no woman is refused her birth control prescription at the pharmacy counter in Wisconsin again. |
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| Keep an Eye on the Capitol | | | Check back often for legislative updates, hearing dates, vote tallies, fact sheets, and ways you can get involved! |
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14 pro-choice legislators (all Democrats)
7 mixed-voting legislators (4 Democrats and 3 Republicans)
12 anti-choice and anti-birth control legislators in the Wisconsin Senate (all Republicans) |
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44 pro-choice legislators (all Democrats)
13 mixed-voting legislators (7 Democrats, 5 Republicans and 1 Independent)
42 anti-choice and anti-birth control legislators in the Wisconsin Assembly (1 Democrat and 41 Republicans) |
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