MADISON, Wis. — An ongoing effort to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from the current 60 days to a full year is one step closer to becoming law.

Lawmakers in the Senate approved a bill 32-1 on Tuesday, sending the measure to the Assembly where it now awaits approval.

What You Need To Know

  • Lawmakers in the Wisconsin Senate approved a bill 32-1 on Tuesday that would extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from the current 60 days to 12 months
  • The proposal has gained broad bipartisan support with nearly two-thirds of all members of the state legislature having co-sponsored the bill

  • As the bill advances to the Assembly, Republican Speaker Robin Vos has not committed to bringing the measure forward for a floor vote

The push to extend postpartum Medicaid has garnered broad bipartisan support with nearly two-thirds of all members of the Wisconsin Legislature having co-sponsored the bill.

Under federal law, states must provide pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage for 60 days postpartum. After that period, some women may then qualify for Medicaid. Many others, however, lose coverage, especially in states that did not accept the expansion.

“This bill is about keeping moms healthy, giving babies a stronger start, and making life better for the people we serve. We know that 84% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, and many of these tragedies occur in the months after a mother’s coverage expires. Extending postpartum care is essential to giving women the support they need to thrive,” State Sen. Jesse James, R-Thorp, who authored the bill, said in a statement after its passage Tuesday.

“By extending coverage, we’re not expanding who gets care; we’re ensuring that moms who already qualify don’t lose support when they need it most,” James added.

For several years, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 gave states a new option to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months. Through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 that has now become permanent.

Supporters of the bill said the goal is to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

“Postpartum care can save lives,” Minority Leader Sen. Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, told reporters during a press conference before the vote. “Pregnancy is difficult. Having given birth to three children, every single pregnancy is different. Every single child is different. Sometimes there are things that arise on day one that might be a problem and some pregnancies that’s at 61 days later, 300 days later. That’s why this is extremely important that we get this done today.”

With the bill headed for the Assembly, Democrats in the chamber insist there are enough bipartisan votes to send the measure to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk.

“Now, it’s our turn. The State Assembly has the votes to pass the postpartum Medicaid extension, and I look forward to my Republican colleagues calling a vote. For the sake of Wisconsin’s women and families, let’s get this done,” State Rep. Robyn Vining, D-Wauwatosa, said in a statement.

However, Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who has significant influence over the agenda, has long been seen as a roadblock to the bill. He told reporters Tuesday he’s not sure whether the bill will be brought forward for a vote.

“We have not had the discussion this session yet about postpartum. My position has been fairly clear from the very beginning; I’ve never supported an expansion of welfare,” Vos explained. “I can’t imagine that I would ever support one, but we have to talk about it as a caucus and see where everybody else is.”

Wisconsin is among just two states that have not taken the postpartum Medicaid extension. The other is Arkansas, which is actively working to pass a bill of its own.

Related Stories