Current Laws

Wisconsin receives a C- (up from last year's D-) from NARAL Pro-Choice America in its annual state-by-state review of abortion and reproductive rights. These laws create barriers to abortion in Wisconsin and disproportionately affect low-income, rural and young women. Wisconsin is ranked 23rd nationally by NARAL Pro-Choice America--behind Minnesota and Iowa. Anti-Choice Laws Abortion Ban
If Roe v. Wade is overturned, the Wisconsin Criminal Abortion Ban could be used to imprison and/or fine women who have abortions or doctors who provide abortions. Counseling Ban/Gag Rule Wisconsin's counseling ban, also known as "gag rule," prohibits organizations that receive state and federal funds from counseling or referring women for abortion services, prevent doctors from treating their patients responsibly, and severely limit women's ability to make informed decisions. Insurance Prohibition for Abortion Wisconsin's insurance prohibition for abortion law require women to pay an extra premium to receive insurance coverage for abortion care. Refusal to Provide Medical Services Wisconsin allows hospitals, physicians and other individuals associated with, employed by or on the staff of a hospital to refuse to provide abortion services and steralization. Wisconsin allows state employees to refuse to provide family planning and birth control services. Restrictions on Low-Income Women’s Access to Abortion Wisconsin law restricts low-income women's access to abortion by prohibiting public funding for abortion for women eligible for state medical assistance for general health care. Restrictions on Young Women’s Access to Abortion Wisconsin law restricts young women's access to abortion by requiring the concent of one parent or adult family member.
Pro-Choice Laws Healthy Youth Act The Healthy Youth Act updates Wisconsin’s education standards to provide comprehensive, medically accurate, un-biased and age-appropriate information to students in classrooms that choose to teach human growth and development courses. Wisconsin law requires emergency rooms to provide rape victims with information about and access to emergency contraception. Wisconsin law requires employers that provide insurance coverage for prescription drugs to provide the same coverage for contraception. Wisconsin provides certain low-income women coverage for Medicaid-funded reproductive health care services through the Medicaid Family Planning Waiver. Wisconsin law protects women seeking reproductive health care and medical personnel from blockades and violence. Other Related Laws Wisconsin restricts post-viability abortions. |