MEDICAID POSTPARTUM COVERAGE EXTENSION SIGNED INTO LAW

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2026

(Madison, WI) – Today, Governor Evers signed Senate Bill (SB) 23 into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 102. The new law extends Medical Assistance (Medicaid) coverage for postpartum women from 60 days to 365 days. Pro-Life Wisconsin Legislative Director Matt Sande offered the following comments:

Pro-Life Wisconsin thanks Governor Evers and bill authors Senator Jesse James and Representative Patrick Snyder for bringing this compassionate, bipartisan legislation to fruition. Extending Medicaid coverage to mothers for the first year of their child’s life is good public policy. A healthy mom will be better equipped to care for herself and her baby, financially, medically, materially, and emotionally. Moreover, pregnancy-related deaths can be mitigated or even avoided with consistent and adequate postpartum care. Act 102 will save lives and, long term, it will save the Medicaid program tax dollars by promoting healthy outcomes for moms and babies.

Act 102 will be especially beneficial to mothers facing unplanned pregnancies. Providing comprehensive pre- and post-natal medical coverage for both mom and baby, from conception to one year after birth, will encourage such mothers to choose life for their preborn children. Knowing the Medicaid program will provide affordable, optimal, and prolonged care for her and her child, before and after birth, will help empower vulnerable moms to overcome the abortion temptation in challenging circumstances.

View Matt Sande’s article in the spring 2025 edition of our quarterly magazine, The Banner, to learn more about Pro-Life Wisconsin’s support for this legislation here.

CONTACT:
Matt Sande, Pro-Life Wisconsin Legislative Director
P: 262-352-0890
E: [email protected]