A legislative push to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage in Wisconsin has cleared a major hurdle in the state Senate but faces an uncertain future in the Assembly—potentially leaving the Badger State as one of only two in the country that has yet to adopt the year-long coverage standard.

Why It Matters

The bipartisan Senate vote comes amid growing awareness of the high maternal mortality risk in the postpartum period.

Extending Medicaid coverage to 12 months after childbirth is seen as a crucial step to reducing preventable deaths and improving maternal mental health. Yet political divisions could once again derail the measure in the Assembly, jeopardizing health outcomes for thousands of new mothers in Wisconsin.

What to Know

Senators voted 32-1 in favor of the bill on April 22, with only Senator Chris Kapenga, a Republican from Delafield, dissenting.

The bill would extend Medicaid coverage for low-income mothers from 60 days to a full year after giving birth. Wisconsin is currently one of just two states, alongside Arkansas, that has not implemented this expansion, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Supporters emphasized that the legislation is not an expansion of eligibility but rather a continuation of care for women who already qualify.

“Coverage can mean the difference between a mom silently struggling and getting the mental health support she truly needs,” said Senator Jesse James, R-Thorp, during the floor session, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.

Health officials highlighted the need for continuous care, noting that one-third of Wisconsin’s 63 pregnancy-related deaths from 2020 to 2022 occurred more than two months postpartum.

“We have a responsibility to show up for our moms,” James added, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services estimates the proposed extension would provide an additional 5,020 women with coverage each month, the Wisconsin Examiner reported.

Separately, the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association projected that approximately 6,300 women in the state would gain access to critical health services under the extended coverage, according to a 2023 report from the WPHCA.

The bill has backing from many advocacy groups, including health care and anti-abortion organizations.

However, Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos reiterated his long-standing opposition to what he termed “an expansion of welfare,” though he left open the possibility of a vote.

What People Are Saying

Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “It may surprise many to know Wisconsin doesn’t already have postpartum coverage for low-income mothers past 60 days, as many other states have expanded that timeframe realizing it’s not an optimal one for someone needing Medicaid in that situation. However, past efforts to expand care have met resistance by some legislators who are against any expansion of a government welfare program. It’s possible this effort will ultimately not pass, either.”

Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: “A handful of members remain strongly opposed to expanding welfare benefits, and that opposition stalled the bill before it could move forward… I think it does have a decent shot, but it really comes down to the budget. Wisconsin’s been a bit left-leaning in recent years, so I could see this eventually passing.”

What’s Next

Senate President Mary Felzkowski expressed optimism, saying, “Sometimes it takes more than one term to get a bill done… We’ll get the Assembly there,” according to Wisconsin Public Radio.

Whether the bill ultimately passes remains in the hands of Assembly leadership. The Assembly has yet to schedule a hearing or vote.