About a third of maternal deaths occur between one week and one year postpartum. The American Rescue Plan Act provided states with the option to extend postpartum Medicaid and CHIP coverage from 60 days to 12 months and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 20223 made this option permanent. From 2021 to 2025, 48 states and Washington D.C. have taken up the state option. This is groundbreaking and provides an additional layer of protection for postpartum women during a crucial time of healing and bonding with their baby.
As of the start of 2026, only two states, Arkansas and Wisconsin, had failed to adopt the new policy option to extend coverage to the full 12 months. After years of failed attempts and bipartisan frustration, Wisconsin has passed the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage. The State Assembly voted 95-1 to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage. The bill now heads to Governor Tony Evers, who is expected to sign it.
Studies show that expanding postpartum coverage helps to improve continuity of care. Women have the opportunity to follow up on any chronic conditions that they face or even tap into mental health or behavioral health care services. Medicaid covers 35% of births in Wisconsin. The most recent Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team Report released in November 2024, indicates that there were 49 maternal deaths in 2020 and 43% of deaths were pregnancy-related.
Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released maternal mortality data from 2023, showing that maternal mortality rates decreased for every race except for Black women. For every maternal death, there are at least 70-80 cases of severe maternal morbidity. Medicaid is the largest health coverage provider for births in the U.S. Postpartum Medicaid coverage provides women with the opportunity to take care of themselves.
This is a big win for Wisconsin advocates, including the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, the Black Maternal & Child Health Alliance, and Kids Forward who have worked tirelessly to protect the health and well-being of Wisconsin’s mothers and babies and most importantly for those on the ground who will benefit from this critical coverage protection. As Alia Stevenson, Deputy Director of Kids Forward, said: “Extended Medicaid for moms means lives will be healthier, safer, and more secure.”