Wisconsin

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Tony Evers
Governor Tony Evers has been a strong champion for reproductive freedom, tirelessly fighting to restore and protect access to reproductive healthcare in Wisconsin after Dobbs. He has vetoed anti-choice legislation aimed at restricting access to abortion and reproductive healthcare and has pushed to protect funding for reproductive healthcare clinics. After abortion care halted in Wisconsin following Dobbs, his efforts have helped restore reproductive freedom and abortion access in the state.
evers.wi.gov

Tony Evers

Governor
The bottom line for me is this: Wisconsinites should be able to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions without interference from politicians who don’t know anything about their lives, their family, or their circumstances. My commitment remains: I will fight to protect reproductive freedom and ensure access to safe, legal abortion in Wisconsin with every tool and power I have, and I’ll veto any bill that makes reproductive healthcare any less accessible for Wisconsinites than it is right now.

Governor Tony Evers, Wisconsin

KEY ACTIONS

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    Governor’s Budget Proposals
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    Governor’s Budget Proposals

    In February 2023, Governor Evers introduced his 2023-25 Biennial Budget, which included expansions of BadgerCare, Wisconsin’s Medicaid program, to cover additional reproductive health services; the establishment of screening programs, child wellness grants, and grants for maternal mortality prevention; the modification of current law to require health insurance plans to cover fertility expenses; and the establishment of tax credits to address family needs.
    Amicus Brief in Food and Drug Administration, et al., v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine
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    •  July 16, 2024

    Amicus Brief in Food and Drug Administration, et al., v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine

    Governor Green and 21 other governors filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of abortion rights in Food and Drug Administration, et al., v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. In this brief, the Reproductive Freedom Alliance governors argued that if the Court reverses FDA approval of Mifepristone and limits access to the vital medicine, it could undermine Governors’ ability to provide adequate healthcare services and would have far-reaching implications beyond reproductive healthcare.
    Executive Order 175
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    Executive Order 175

    In September 2022, Governor Evers issued an executive order calling a special session of the Wisconsin State Legislature to create a pathway for Wisconsinites to repeal the 1849 Criminal Abortion Ban themselves through a statewide referendum.
    Executive Order 168
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    Executive Order 168

    On June 8, 2022, Governor Evers issued an executive order calling a special session of the Wisconsin State Legislature to consider repealing the state’s 1849 Criminal Abortion Ban in light of the leaked Dobbs opinion.
    Vetoed Senate Bill 593
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    Vetoed Senate Bill 593

    Governor Evers vetoed SB 593, a bill that would have criminalized abortions chosen based on the biological sex, disability, race or nationality of the fetus.
    Vetoed Senate Bill 591
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    Vetoed Senate Bill 591

    Governor Evers vetoed SB 591, a bill that would have required doctors to tell women planning a medication abortion that the first drug in the two-drug process “may not result in an immediate abortion,” and that the patient “may be able to continue the pregnancy” if she changes her mind after taking it.
    Vetoed Senate Bill 503
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    Vetoed Senate Bill 503

    Governor Evers vetoed SB 503, which would have required the state of Wisconsin to pursue the decertification of abortion clinics and their affiliates from the state’s Medical Assistance program (Medicaid).
    Vetoed Senate Bill 16
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    Vetoed Senate Bill 16

    Governor Evers vetoed SB 16, a bill that would have required lifetime prison sentences for doctors if they did not provide medical care to babies born after attempted abortions.
    Expanded Access to Over-the-Counter Contraception
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    Expanded Access to Over-the-Counter Contraception

    In his 2024 State of the State address, Governor Evers highlighted the action his administration would take to ensure Medicaid members can access over-the-counter contraception, including emergency contraception and the newly approved daily contraception pill called Opill, with no out-of-pocket cost to them. At his direction, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has since issued a standing order to ensure this access for Medicaid members at any Wisconsin Medicaid-enrolled pharmacy under their state coverage without a prescription from their doctor.
    Gov. Evers Filed A Lawsuit to Restore Rights after Dobbs
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    Gov. Evers Filed A Lawsuit to Restore Rights after Dobbs

    In June of 2022, shortly after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit to ensure that a pre-Roe criminal abortion ban, passed in 1849, could not be enforced against those seeking abortion care in Wisconsin. On July 7, 2023, a Dane County Circuit Judge denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case stating that “there is no such thing as an ‘1849 Abortion Ban’ in Wisconsin” and clearing the way for providers to resume services.

    IN THE NEWS

  • See More
    • Evers in State of the State address vows to veto any bill that would limit access to abortions
  • Associated Press
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  • Associated Press
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    •  January 23, 2024 • Scott Bauer

    Evers in State of the State address vows to veto any bill that would limit access to abortions

    Scott Bauer

    Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vowed in his State of the State speech Tuesday to veto any bill that would limit access to abortions, even as Republicans move forward with a measure that would let voters weigh in on whether it should be banned after 14 weeks of pregnancy.
    Evers pushes to repeal Wisconsin abortion ban ahead of state Supreme Court election
  • PBS Wisconsin
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  • PBS Wisconsin
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    •  March 21, 2023 • Todd Richmond

    Evers pushes to repeal Wisconsin abortion ban ahead of state Supreme Court election

    Todd Richmond

    Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and his fellow Democrats worked March 21 to keep the spotlight on abortion ahead of the 2023 state Supreme Court election, resurrecting a bill that would repeal the state’s 1849 ban on the practice.
    Wisconsin governor calls special session with eye on allowing voters to repeal state abortion ban
  • CNN
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  • CNN
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    •  September 21, 2022 • Veronica Stracqualursi

    Wisconsin governor calls special session with eye on allowing voters to repeal state abortion ban

    Veronica Stracqualursi

    Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday called for a special legislative session next month for lawmakers to consider allowing voters to introduce ballot initiatives and referendums – with the ultimate goal of giving voters the decision to repeal the state’s 1849 abortion ban.

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