WisconsinHealth plans would limit coverage for transplants tied to forced organ harvesting
Certain health plans and Medical Assistance would be barred from knowingly covering transplants tied to China or designated countries, while life-saving care afterward remains allowed.
What it does
Certain health plans and Medical Assistance would be barred from knowingly covering transplants tied to China or a country designated for forced organ harvesting. The rule would not bar care needed to save a patient’s life after a prohibited transplant.
Argument forThe coverage ban could discourage plans from paying for transplants involving organs or surgeries tied to countries whose governments support forced organ harvesting.
Argument againstPeople who need transplants could have less coverage based on where surgery happens or where an organ came from, subject to the life-saving care exception.
More detail
Covered payers would be barred from knowingly covering certain transplants and related care. The rule covers disability insurance policies, self-insured health plans, and Medical Assistance. It applies if the operation takes place in China or a country designated by the department, or if the organ was procured by sale or donation originating in one of those countries. The rule would not bar post-transplant services or care needed to save the life of someone who received a transplant prohibited by this subsection. The department may designate a country if its government funds, sponsors, or otherwise facilitates forced organ harvesting. The act would take effect on the first day of the fourth month after publication. For inconsistent policies and plans, it would first apply to plan years beginning on or after that date. If a conflicting collective bargaining agreement applies, it would first apply to plan years beginning on or after the later date when that agreement is established, extended, modified, or renewed.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82Latest
- May 12Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
- Mar 27Report vetoed by the Governor Tony Evers on 3-27-2026Major
- Mar 26Presented to the Governor on 3-26-2026To Governor
- Feb 20Report correctly enrolled on 2-20-2026Minor
- Feb 18Received from Senate concurred inMinor
- Vote recorded CONCURRENCE. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 18Ordered immediately messaged
- Feb 18Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 21, Noes 12Passed Senate
- Feb 18Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Feb 18Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Feb 18Read a second timeMinor
- Feb 17Placed on calendar 2-18-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Vote recorded Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 17Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Feb 17Fiscal estimate receivedMinor
- Feb 12Available for scheduling
- Vote recorded Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry, Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry, Ayes 3, Noes 2Minor
- Feb 12Executive action taken
- Jan 26Read first time and referred to committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and ForestryMinor
- Jan 22Received from AssemblyMinor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22Ordered immediately messaged
- Jan 22Read a third time and passed, Ayes 64, Noes 33Passed Assembly
- Jan 22Rules suspended
- Jan 22Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Jan 22Read a second timeMinor
- Jan 20Placed on calendar 1-22-2026 by Committee on Rules
- Jan 16Referred to committee on RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Report passage recommended by Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Ayes 15, Noes 0. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 16Report passage recommended by Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Ayes 15, Noes 0Minor
- Jan 14Representative Wichgers added as a coauthor
- Jan 14Executive action taken
- Jan 6Public hearing held
- 2025
- Nov 19Read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice and Public SafetyMinor
- Nov 19Introduced by Representatives Moses, Dallman, O'Connor, Callahan, Kurtz, Goeben, Piwowarczyk, Mursau, Knodl, Melotik, Behnke and Brill; cosponsored by Senators Tomczyk, Testin, Jacque, Marklein and NassIntroduced
Healthcare