In a strong show of bipartisan support, the Wisconsin State Senate overwhelmingly passed (32-1) legislation this week to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days to one full year. Senate Bill 23, led by Republican lawmakers, demonstrates the caucus’s commitment to protecting life by ensuring new moms receive medical care during the critical first year after childbirth.
Currently, Medicaid coverage for postpartum women ends just 60 days after birth — a policy that fails to reflect the realities of recovery. According to the CDC, 84% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, and nearly one-third occur between 43 and 365 days postpartum. Gaps in care can delay treatment for complications such as high blood pressure, postpartum depression, and substance use disorders.
Postpartum Medicaid care includes follow-up doctor visits, treatment for birth-related complications, mental health services, and family planning support — all essential for a mother’s physical and emotional health. Extending that coverage to 12 months is not an expansion of eligibility, but a continuation of care for women who already qualify.
Senate President Felzkowski praised her colleagues’ persistence: “Sometimes it takes more than one term to get a bill done. We’ll get the Assembly there.”
But the bill faces headwinds in the Assembly, where Speaker Robin Vos remains a vocal opponent. “I’ve never supported an expansion of welfare,” Vos said. “I can’t imagine that I would ever support one.”
Sen. James, a key supporter of the bill, stated, “we’re not expanding who gets care; we’re ensuring that moms who already qualify don’t lose support when they need it most.”
Despite Vos’s opposition, advocates argue that Senate Bill 23 is not about expanding government programs but about maintaining consistent, life-saving care for mothers who already qualify for Medicaid. Wisconsin is one of only two states that has yet to make this change — leaving new mothers at risk of losing coverage when they need it most.
Extending postpartum care is a practical, compassionate pro-life policy that supports both mothers and their children. Senate Republicans have taken the lead in moving this critical legislation forward. Now it’s up to the Assembly to prioritize families over politics and finish the work.
