Expansion of coverage for new mothers passes state senate

In a rare demonstration of bipartisanship in Madison, the state senate today passed Senate Bill 23, which guarantees all mothers on Medicaid coverage for one full year after giving birth, rather than just 60 days. It passed with only one senator voting in opposition. 

Democrats have been pushing for an expansion of postpartum care since 2019. 

Senator Kris Dassler-Alfheim said she believes we all have more in common than our differences and is committed to working together to pass legislation that is in the best interests of our communities.

“Despite what some Republican holdouts might think, this is common-sense legislation that has support across party lines, and that’s why it’s been signed into law in every single state in the union – except Wisconsin and Arkansas,” she said. "We are being left behind, and we are leaving our mothers behind in the process. It’s time to change that.”

The bill now moves to the Assembly where it also has wide bipartisan support. But there is concern whether this will get a hearing given that Republican leadership in the assembly has been blocking this bill.

You can contact your Assembly representative or Speaker Robin Vos directly.