Senate Health Committee Backs Medicaid Postpartum Expansion: A Game-Changer for Wisconsin Mothers

On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Senate Health Committee discussed a bill aimed at extending Medicaid coverage for mothers after childbirth. Currently, mothers lose their Medicaid coverage 60 days after giving birth, unless they meet other income qualifications.

The proposed bill, SB 23, would allow mothers to maintain their Medicaid coverage for a full year post-birth. This change is essential, as many health issues can arise during the first year, and extended coverage could greatly benefit them.

Sen. Jesse James, one of the bill’s authors, clarified that this bill doesn’t change income eligibility. Instead, it merely provides more support for women already receiving coverage. “We need to do better for our moms, our kids, and families,” he emphasized.

The federal government opened the door for states to extend postpartum coverage in 2022 through the American Rescue Plan Act. Despite this, proposals have faced resistance. Governor Tony Evers has consistently pushed for a year of coverage, but efforts have been blocked by the Republican-led Legislature.

Support for the bill is growing, with 23 cosponsors in the Senate and 67 in the Assembly. During the hearing, DHS Legislative Director Arielle Exner highlighted alarming statistics: from 2020 to 2022, Wisconsin saw 63 pregnancy-related deaths, with one-third occurring after the 60-day postpartum window. Of those mothers, 76% were covered by Medicaid at the time of delivery.

“Wisconsin moms are losing health care coverage when they need it the most,” Exner stated. The new policy could potentially provide coverage for an extra 5,020 women each month, with estimated costs of $18.5 million.

If Wisconsin fully expanded Medicaid, covering those up to 138% of the federal poverty level, costs could drop significantly for postpartum coverage. Medical experts emphasize the importance of maintaining health care access postpartum, stating that losing coverage can undo all progress made during pregnancy.

Dr. Jasmine Zapata, a chief medical officer, shared heartbreaking stories from the Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team about the realities of maternal health challenges. These testimonies remind us that behind each statistic are real lives and struggles.

Arkansas is the only other state not to have implemented the postpartum extension, and lawmakers fear Wisconsin could soon be the last state to do so. Rep. Patrick Snyder expressed concern about falling behind.

Jackie Powell, an OB-GYN, highlighted the risks faced by high-risk patients who might need immediate post-birth medical interventions. Without coverage, these critical needs could go unmet, posing serious health risks to both mothers and their newborns.

Support for the bill spans various organizations, including the ACLU of Wisconsin and the American Heart Association. As the conversation progresses, there’s a consensus that this issue affects countless families and must be addressed.