Bill to Provide Health Care for New Moms Sails Through the State Senate

Thursday, April 24th, 2025 -- 12:00 PM

(Wisconsin Radio Network) A bill to provide health care for new moms sailed through the state Senate Tuesday on a 32-1 vote, but faces an uncertain path in the Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, the bill to extend Medicaid coverage for new moms to one year is from Republican Senator Jesse James. Wisconsin and Arkansas are the only states capping that coverage at 60 days.

James said that leaves far too many women without the care they need during the one of the most critical times in their lives. He called the measure “a simple, meaningful step that can change the outcomes for families” in Wisconsin.

But Assembly Speaker Robin Vos isn’t ready to sign off on it. Vos said the Assembly Republican caucus has yet to discuss the bill, which he called “an expansion of welfare” and something that he could not support.

A similar bill passed the Senate last session but didn’t get a vote in the Assembly.

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