The Alliance of Health Insurers (AHI) and Wisconsin Association of Health Plans (WAHP) are non-profit advocacy
organizations representing Wisconsin’s health plans. Our members collectively provide coverage to most
Wisconsinites through public and private insurance programs, including nearly 900,000 enrollees in Badger Care
Plus and SSI-Medicaid (Wisconsin’s Medicaid managed care programs). Member health plans are dedicated to
delivering affordable, high-value care to the state’s Medicaid population. We respectfully request you sign on as a
co-sponsor of LRB-0926/1, legislation authored by Senator James and Representative Snyder to extend Medicaid
coverage to twelve months postpartum.
Currently, the state’s Medicaid program – BadgerCare – provides coverage for income eligible women 60 days
postpartum, as required under federal law. After those 60 days, the mother’s eligibility is redetermined and she can
only remain eligible for BadgerCare if she meets certain requirements. Under the American Rescue Plan Act of
2021, the federal government allowed states to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to mothers for a full 12
months, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act made this option permanent. Wisconsin is now one of just two
states that has not extended postpartum coverage to 12 months.
As state-contracted Medicaid managed care companies, our focus is to deliver healthy outcomes for the state’s
Medicaid population. Stability of care is a critical element to drive those outcomes – and leads to better health care
cost management for Wisconsin taxpayers. Currently, when a postpartum mother is deemed no longer eligible 60
days after the delivery of her child, she may scramble to enroll in other health coverage and will need to identify if
her current care providers are in or out of her new network. This could delay critical pregnancy-related chronic and
mental health conditions that often require attention far beyond 60 days postpartum. In fact, data from 38 U.S. states
found that 84% of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable, with nearly 27% occurring 43–365 days postpartum,
and Wisconsin has seen severe maternal morbidity increase 30% from 2016-2023. Even if postpartum complications
occur within 60 days, many require long-term recovery during which they may lose health coverage amid recovery
or other critical recovery treatments.
We know that infant health is tied strongly to maternal health, therefore, prioritizing the mother’s care is essential for
the baby’s health in its first year of life and beyond. Providing continuous health coverage for Wisconsin women
before, during, and after pregnancy ensures better maternal and infant health outcomes, reduces long-term healthcare
costs, and promotes healthy families. Extending Medicaid coverage for the mother for a full year after delivery keeps
the family on the same health plan, enhances care coordination, and benefits both mother and baby.
We ask you to consider these significant health benefits for both mom and baby and sign on as a co-sponsor of LRB-
1066/1. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact R.J. Pirlot of AHI at 608-258-9506 or John Nygren of WAHP
at 608-255-8599.