The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
Across Dane, Jefferson and Dodge counties—from Fitchburg to Waterloo, Fort Atkinson to Sun Prairie—new parents are doing their best to care for their children while managing the physical and emotional demands of childbirth. But far too many mothers are being left behind by a system that cuts off critical health care just when they need it most.
In Wisconsin, Medicaid coverage for new mothers ends just 60 days after delivery. That’s simply not enough. Pregnancy and childbirth don’t end at the hospital doors, and neither do the medical risks. Mental health challenges, complications like high blood pressure or infections, and postpartum depression often emerge or worsen months after birth.
Extending Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum is a commonsense, life-saving step that would benefit families across our rural, suburban and urban communities. All other states—except for Wisconsin and Arkansas—have already recognized the urgent need for this change.
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This is not just a health care issue—it’s a moral one. Data shows that more than half of maternal deaths occur in the postpartum period, and many of those deaths are preventable with consistent, accessible care. When we allow coverage to lapse after just 2 months, we are turning our backs on new mothers during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
The impact of this policy change would be felt right here in our communities. Rural hospitals and clinics—especially in Jefferson and Dodge counties—have long been stretched thin. By providing continuity of care, we support not only healthier families, but also a more sustainable healthcare system. We reduce long-term costs by avoiding expensive emergency interventions and untreated complications.
We also cannot ignore the disparities at play. Black and Indigenous women in Wisconsin are more likely to experience pregnancy-related complications and die from them. Expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage is a key step in addressing this unacceptable inequality.
This is not a partisan issue—it’s about doing right by the women who give life and sustain our communities. It’s about giving every new parent in Wisconsin the chance to recover, seek help when they need it, and raise their children in health and security.
Recently, the Senate passed Senate Bill 23, a bill that would extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months. I strongly supported this policy, and now I urge you to contact your State Representative in the Assembly, as well as Speaker Vos, and tell them to vote YES on Medicaid Postpartum Expansion.
Let’s give our mothers a present of healthcare this Mother’s Day. Our mothers—and their babies—deserve nothing less.
-Ratcliff, D-Cottage Grove, represents the 16th Senate District.
