MADISON, Wis. – Feb. 19, 2026 – The Wisconsin State Assembly today passed Senate Bill 23 on a 95 to 1 bipartisan vote, extending Medical Assistance (Medicaid) coverage for postpartum women from 60 days to a full year after childbirth. The bill now awaits Governor Tony Evers’ signature.
The legislation, authored by Senator Jesse James (R – Thorp) and Representative Patrick Snyder (R – Weston), aims to address rising rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the state. According to data cited in the bill’s analysis, from 2020 to 2022, Wisconsin experienced 63 pregnancy-related deaths, with 33% occurring after the current 60-day postpartum coverage period. A significant majority – 76% – of those who died had Medicaid coverage during delivery and for the initial 60 days following birth.
“This journey, since its inception, has been nothing short of a wild ride,” Representative Snyder and Senator James said in a joint statement released after the Assembly vote. “There have been endless conversations to keep this bill alive, and it has finally paid off. One thing we have done this session consistently is never give up.”
The bill’s passage brings Wisconsin closer to aligning with the majority of states in the nation. As of February 19, 2026, Wisconsin and Arkansas were the only two states not offering 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage, according to proponents of the legislation. Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia already provide the extended coverage period.
Advocates emphasize the critical need for continued healthcare access after childbirth, citing conditions like mental health disorders, substance use disorder, cardiovascular conditions, and hypertensive disorders as leading causes of postpartum deaths. The bill aims to provide uninterrupted care for fresh mothers already eligible for BadgerCare, aligning their coverage with their baby’s coverage for the full 12-month postpartum period.
The American Heart Association lauded the Assembly’s action. “We desire to thank Representative Snyder and the entire Assembly for advancing this legislation,” said Nicole Hudzinski, Government Relations Director for the organization. “What we have is a smart, lifesaving investment in Wisconsin families, and a meaningful step forward for maternal health.”
Anna Rehbein, Chair of the American Heart Association’s WI Advocacy Committee, highlighted the potential impact on individual lives. “Pregnancy-related complications don’t just end at delivery— serious, life-threatening conditions can emerge weeks or even months after childbirth,” she said. “Extending postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12- months will save lives by ensuring new moms have access to care, monitoring and support during one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives.”
Annmae Minichello, a mother of two who experienced heart failure after her first delivery, shared her personal experience. “Cardiac risk can occur up to six months after pregnancy and recovering from the physical and emotional trauma requires so much more time. Having continuous access to healthcare for twelve months following the birth of a child can save lives of the women we hold near and dear to our hearts.”
The bill previously passed the Wisconsin Senate on April 22, 2025, with a 32 to 1 vote. Governor Evers has not publicly commented on his intentions regarding the bill, but is widely expected to sign it into law.
