MADISON–Over 70% of the Wisconsin State legislature has co-sponsored 2025 Assembly Bill 97, a bill that extends postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a year. Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) released the following statement:
“Wisconsin women deserve better than the Wisconsin State Legislature is doing for them right now. The Wisconsin State Legislature needs to pass the postpartum Medicaid extension, and the good news is—we have the votes to do it.
“We are living in a world where it seems harder and harder to get political parties to agree, but here’s a topic where we have found the common ground that serves the common good, and where we have the votes and the governor’s agreement to get the legislation signed into law. 48 other states have already passed a version of this bill—only Wisconsin and Arkansas haven’t.
“There is far more that unites us than divides us, and a mother’s need for affordable, accessible, quality healthcare in the year after a baby is born is certainly not partisan. Cosponsorship of this bill demonstrates not only the bipartisanship on this bill but also that we have the votes! Of the 33 Wisconsin state senators, 23 have co-sponsored this bill (14 Democrats, 9 Republicans). Of the 99 Wisconsin state representatives, 74 have co-sponsored this bill (45 Democrats and 29 Republicans). We clearly have the 17 votes needed to pass the Senate, and the 50 votes needed to pass the Assembly. So, why hasn’t this been swiftly signed into law?
“Speaker Vos is blocking action. Under the current system, the Speaker controls what is allowed a public hearing, and what is allowed a vote. Speaker Vos blocked the bill from a public hearing and a vote last legislative session, and it appears he’s positioning himself to block it again. One man is holding up a vote on Wisconsin women’s access to healthcare–is this how democracy is supposed to work?
“We have done the work to find common ground for the common good. We have the votes. I urge you to contact the Speaker’s office and let them know that you support connecting Wisconsin mothers with the healthcare they need and deserve, and to call a vote. Let’s get postpartum Medicaid expansion signed into law and connect Wisconsin women, and their families, with the healthcare they deserve. Together we can get this across the finish line. Forward, together.”
