Wisconsin expands postpartum Medicaid to 12 months, joining 39 other states.

Wisconsin has passed legislation to expand Medicaid coverage for new mothers to one year postpartum, making it the 40th state to do so and leaving Arkansas as the only state without such an expansion. The bill, backed by both Democrats and Republicans, allows low-income mothers earning above the poverty level to retain benefits for 12 months instead of two. A companion bill requiring insurance coverage for additional breast cancer screenings for women with dense breast tissue also passed unanimously. The measures, championed by Democratic Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, overcame years of opposition, including from former Republican Speaker Robin Vos. The bills now await Governor Tony Evers’ signature.