Wisconsin

Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly say they’ll pass two bills related to women’s health Thursday, a surprise move that comes after years of blocking the legislation.

The bills, which would increase Medicaid access for low-income postpartum mothers and remove out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer screenings, had wide bipartisan support across multiple legislative sessions and passed the Senate late last year. But until late Wednesday, it seemed unlikely that they would reach the Assembly floor for a vote before the body adjourned for the year later this week.

The bills have faced opposition from Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, who has called the postpartum Medicaid bill an expansion of welfare.