MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — In the state Senate on Tuesday, a bill to extend Medicaid coverage to one year for new moms in Wisconsin passed on a 32-1 vote.
“If moms are not covered under Medicaid, they’re going into the emergency room, which by the way is the most expensive type of care. And they’re going in without being covered, which puts additional burdens onto our hospitals and our healthcare systems. This also leads stress on our infants,” said Senate President Mary Felzkowski.
A similar measure passed the Senate on an overwhelming vote last session but never reached the Assembly, where Speaker Robin Vos says he remains opposed to “an expansion of welfare.”
Arkansas is the only other state not providing a year of Medicaid postpartum coverage.