Audio File of Radio Address

Hey there, folks! Governor Tony Evers here.  
 
Folks, I’m a proud dad of three kids and a grandparent to nine grandkids, but any parent can tell you that postpartum recovery takes a heck of a lot longer than 60 days. 
 
But for years, Wisconsin and Arkansas were the only two states in the nation that hadn’t expanded postpartum coverage for moms on Medicaid to a full year.  
 
That’s why, seven years ago, when I introduced my first budget, I proposed my “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies” initiative, which would have expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage for new moms from 60 days to a full year, but for time and time again, partisan politics got in the way of getting it done. Well, not anymore.

Thanks to the fair maps I signed into law, earlier this year, Wisconsin officially and finally expanded postpartum coverage for new moms on Medicaid to 12 months, and as of July 1, we’re excited that expanded coverage is now in effect.

Wisconsin women and families can now get the expanded coverage they deserve, including an estimated over 16,000 moms this year alone.

This is a really big deal, folks, because according to DHS, every year, on average, 21 women die from pregnancy-related causes in Wisconsin, nearly half of which happened postpartum.  
 
But here is the kicker, folks: 95 percent of those deaths were preventable. 
 
Expanded postpartum coverage can and will save lives. Simple as that.  
 
And it’s especially important as Republicans out in D.C. are making it harder and more expensive for folks, including moms and babies, to get the healthcare they need. 
 
Here in Wisconsin, we’re going to keep working to make sure healthcare is affordable and accessible for everyone and ensure Wisconsin women can get the healthcare they need when they need it. 
 
Thank you.