As the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Health meets Wednesday to hear testimony on Postpartum Medicaid Expansion, we urge them to support SB-023. This bill extends Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 365 days postpartum. This legislation is essential to protecting the health and well-being of Wisconsin families.
Perinatal mental health conditions are the leading complication of childbirth and were the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in Wisconsin in 2016-2017 and again in 2020, according to the Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Tragically, the highest risk period for maternal suicide occurs six to nine months postpartum—well after Medicaid coverage currently expires at 60 days. By passing SB-023, Wisconsin can join 48 other states in recognizing the critical need for sustained healthcare coverage during this vulnerable period.
The Cost of Inaction
The rising costs of therapy, medication, and mental health care have made treatment unaffordable for many families, especially those caught in the gap where their income disqualifies them from Medicaid yet remains insufficient to cover high out-of-pocket expenses for care. This gap leaves mothers at risk for untreated mental health conditions that can escalate to crisis levels.
When perinatal mental health conditions go untreated, the consequences ripple through families and communities. Mothers may face long-term health complications, bonding with infants can suffer, children may experience developmental and behavioral challenges, and families often face financial strain and income loss. These impacts reverberate across our healthcare system, schools, businesses, and social services.
The economic cost is staggering. Untreated perinatal mental health conditions are estimated to cost Wisconsin $286.8 million annually*. This includes healthcare expenses, workforce losses, and long-term care costs for both mothers and children. Expanding Medicaid coverage for a full year postpartum is not only a moral imperative but also a fiscally responsible decision that will reduce these preventable costs.
A Critical Opportunity for Change
At Moms Mental Health Initiative, we work directly with mothers navigating the challenges of perinatal mental health conditions. We see firsthand the difference that timely and sustained care can make—not just for mothers, but for entire families. With SB-023, you have a rare opportunity to make a generational impact, saving lives, strengthening families, and reducing long-term costs to the state.
We urge our State Senate to prioritize the health and safety of Wisconsin’s mothers and families by passing SB-023.
How Can You Help?
Call your State Senators and urge them to co-sponsor or continue to request a vote from Speaker Robin Vos on SB-023. As Speaker, Robin Vos represents the interests of all Wisconsinites. You can also reach out to his office to request the vote.
*Calculated based on the estimated cost of untreated perinatal mental health conditions per mother/baby diad using Wisconsin's 2023 birth rate, and correcting for the 1 in 5 moms who experience perinatal mental health conditions.
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