January 2, 2026

Three Bills That Should Have Passed in 2025

This legislative session, I was proud to support several bipartisan proposals aimed at providing health care access, lowering costs for prescriptions and extending postpartum health care coverage. Unfortunately, despite broad bipartisan support and clear public benefits, three important bills failed to advance through the legislative process this year.

Cole’s Act (SB 203) was introduced to bring long-overdue accountability and transparency to Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Named in honor of Cole Schmidtknecht, a young Wisconsinite who tragically died after his asthma inhaler was removed from his PBM’s formulary, this legislation sought to prevent similar, deadly outcomes for other patients.

Cole’s Act would have banned harmful copay accumulator programs, protected patient choice by allowing the use of any in-network pharmacy and ensured compliance with the federal 340B drug pricing program.

Gail’s Law (SB 264 / AB 263) is another bipartisan proposal that fell short this session, despite overwhelming support. Named after Wisconsin advocate Gail Zeamer, who lost her life to breast cancer, this legislation would require insurance coverage for supplemental breast cancer screenings for women with dense breast tissue.

Early detection saves lives. Gail’s Law passed the Senate with a near-unanimous vote and earned support from medical professionals, advocacy groups, and families across the state. Still, it stalled before reaching the finish line.

Finally, the Legislature failed to advance a bipartisan bill to extend postpartum Medical Assistance coverage for new mothers (SB 23), even though it is supported by lawmakers from both parties, medical experts, pro-life organization and public health advocates.

The bipartisan legislation would have required the Department of Health Services to seek federal approval to extend that coverage through the month in which 365 days postpartum falls—aligning Wisconsin with 48 other states that have already taken this step.

Extending postpartum coverage is widely recognized as a pro-family, pro-life, and fiscally responsible policy. Failing to act unnecessarily puts mothers’ lives at risk and worsens outcomes for infants.

These three issues—prescription drug pricing reform, access to life-saving cancer screenings and postpartum health coverage—represent areas where bipartisan agreement exists, yet meaningful action fell short.

These are just three examples of how the Majority party is punting on serious issues facing every Wisconsinite. We all deserve better, and I will continue advocating for solutions that improve lives.

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Senator Smith currently represents District 31 in the Wisconsin State Senate. The 31st Senate District currently includes portions of Dunn, Eau Claire, and Trempealeau counties. While he doesn't represent Pierce County specifically, Senator Smith endures to represent everyone in Wisconsin.

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For more from Senator Smith, go to his website at:
https://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/31/smith/.