On Tuesday, April 22 the Senate was in session. While we were on the floor, we passed Senate Bill (SB) 23. SB 23, which I am proud to cosponsor, extends Medical Assistance benefits to new mothers for up to one year postpartum. Under current state law, new mothers on Medicaid are only covered for two months after giving birth. But pregnancy related health challenges do not go away after eight weeks. This bipartisan legislation will extend healthcare to thousands of new mothers across Wisconsin and support new families when they need it most.

The most important thing for a mother’s health after giving birth is to continue to see the same doctor and receive consistent healthcare. Pregnancy can exacerbate all kinds of ongoing health problems and cause new physical or mental health issues. The effects of child birth do not end when the baby is born. The current system has led to an increase in costs for patients and health care providers in addition to worse outcomes for mothers and children. The United States is the only developed country in the world with a rising maternal mortality rate. This is simply unacceptable.

At least one-third of maternal deaths occur postpartum. By passing this common-sense legislation, we will prevent many of these in the future. This will be done without putting a single new person on government health care. Making sure that mothers who already qualify for Medical Assistance benefits do not lose support when they need it most, will result in better outcomes for everyone. New mothers will have better access to and continuity in their healthcare, while health care providers will have more predictability and consistency in their payment schedules and lower administrative costs.

Extending postpartum healthcare coverage to new mothers is common-sense, pro-family policy, and the right thing to do. By providing continuity of care, we will ensure that new mothers can focus on caring for their newborns rather than worrying about changing or losing health insurance. This legislation is a great way to support healthier moms, stronger babies, and thriving families.

As always, if you need assistance with any state-related matters, please call my team at the State Capitol – 608-266-0703 – or email me – Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. My team is ready and willing to help navigate your state government, clear obstacles, and receive your input.