Republicans SHOCK Everyone – They SHAVE Their Heads!

Republican lawmakers in Idaho shaved their heads to support a Democratic colleague battling breast cancer, setting aside political differences to rally behind life-saving legislation.

At a Glance

• Eleven Republican Idaho legislators shaved their heads in solidarity with Democratic Rep. Brooke Green, who is battling a breast cancer recurrence
• The bipartisan display supported House Bill 134, which requires insurance coverage for supplemental breast cancer screenings for high-risk individuals
• The bill passed with overwhelming support: 62-6 in the House and 25-10 in the Senate
• Rep. Green was first diagnosed with cancer in July and received a second diagnosis in January
• The new law takes effect January 1, potentially saving lives through early detection

A Heartfelt Display of Unity Across Party Lines

In a remarkable display of solidarity that transcended partisan politics, eleven Republican lawmakers in Idaho recently shaved their heads in support of their Democratic colleague, Representative Brooke Green, who is battling breast cancer. The initiative was spearheaded by Republican Representative Mike Pohanka, who proposed the idea after learning that Green would lose her hair due to chemotherapy treatments. 

This gesture of support came as Green navigates her second breast cancer diagnosis while continuing to serve in the legislature, having first been diagnosed in July and receiving a second diagnosis in January at the start of the legislative session.

The head-shaving event took place at a local salon between legislative sessions, with legislators from across the political spectrum gathering to show their support. For many participants, the cause was deeply personal. Representative Josh Wheeler, who lost a 10-year-old family member to a brain tumor six years ago, highlighted how communities rally together during difficult times. Pohanka’s own wife is a breast cancer survivor, making his participation especially meaningful.

“I didn’t expect this, it was a bit of a surprise. It is so heartfelt to see my colleagues, all my male colleagues stand with me in solidarity and shave their heads.”, says Rep. Brooke Green.

Lifesaving Legislation with Broad Support

The show of solidarity went beyond symbolic gestures. Green had sponsored House Bill 134, which requires health insurance plans to cover supplemental breast cancer screenings, including MRIs, for high-risk individuals. The bill gained impressive bipartisan support, being cosponsored by more than two dozen lawmakers from both parties. It passed with overwhelming margins: 62-6 in the House and 25-10 in the Senate, demonstrating rare political consensus on a healthcare initiative.

Governor Little signed the bill, emphasizing its importance in reducing long-term treatment costs through early detection. While the new law does not apply to self-insured health plans, Green has encouraged women to advocate for coverage with their employers. 

The legislation will take effect on January 1, potentially saving many lives through earlier cancer detection. Green has already indicated plans to introduce more breast cancer-related legislation in the future, building on this initial success.

The Importance of Early Detection and Community Support

Breast cancer remains a significant health challenge in America, being the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and the second-leading cause of cancer death. The lawmakers’ actions helped raise awareness about the importance of early detection through regular screenings. Representative Pohanka emphasized this message, encouraging people to get checked regularly as a preventative measure. For those already fighting cancer, the lawmakers wanted to demonstrate they weren’t alone in their battle.

State Representative Stephanie Mickelson, who documented the head-shaving event, expressed hope that this moment of unity could lead to reduced partisanship and a greater focus on resolving issues for the public good. The event demonstrated how personal connections to health challenges can transcend political divisions, creating space for meaningful collaboration. 

Green plans to shave her own head soon and aims to complete the legislative session with her colleagues’ support, demonstrating remarkable dedication to public service even while facing serious health challenges.