Evers signs bill extending postpartum Medicaid to year

Governor Tony Evers signed legislation this month that will extend postpartum Medicaid coverage in Wisconsin from 60 days to a full year, making the state one of the last in the nation to adopt the expanded benefit.[1][4] The new coverage will take effect July 1, 2026, pending federal approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.[4]

Wisconsin had long lagged behind other states on this issue, remaining one of just two states without 12-month postpartum coverage despite the policy having overwhelming public support.[4] Evers made the expansion a priority throughout his tenure as governor, including it in all four of his proposed budgets since taking office in 2019.[5] The Wisconsin State Legislature passed the measure with bipartisan support, reflecting broad agreement that the change was necessary.[4]

Research demonstrates that extending postpartum Medicaid coverage improves maternal and infant health outcomes by strengthening a new mother's physical and emotional health while reducing the need for expensive long-term treatment.[4] For Milwaukee families and mothers across Wisconsin, the expanded coverage means thousands of new mothers will have continuous access to critical health services during their first year after giving birth, a period when complications and mental health challenges often emerge.

The state's Department of Health Services will now work with federal officials to finalize the implementation details before the July rollout.