Vos, Neubauer Lead Near-Unanimous Yes on Postpartum Coverage

MADISON, Wis. (WRJN) – Lawmakers representing Racine and Kenosha counties voted unanimously this week for bills to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage and improve breast cancer screenings, sending both measures to Gov. Tony Evers for his expected signature.

The state Assembly passed the postpartum Medicaid expansion, known as SB 23/AB 97, on a 95-1 vote. The bill extends coverage for low-income new mothers from 60 days to a full year after birth, making Wisconsin the 49th state to enact such a policy.

The Senate approved it earlier by a 32-1 margin.

All representatives from the Racine and Kenosha area backed the measure, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Rep. Amanda Nedweski from Pleasant Prairie, and Rep. Greta Neubauer from Racine.

Neubauer, the Democratic leader in the Assembly, hailed the bill after years of pushing Republicans to act. “This is a win for moms and babies across Wisconsin,” she said in a statement.

On the same day, the Assembly unanimously approved Gail’s Law by a 96-0 vote. Named for Gail Zeemer, who died from undetected breast cancer, the bipartisan bill requires insurance plans to cover supplemental screenings for women with dense breast tissue. Every Racine and Kenosha lawmaker supported it. Nedweski spoke emotionally in favor, calling it “a lifesaving step forward.”

The passage of the bills brings an end to a long fight over better maternal health care in Wisconsin. Evers’ office said he plans to sign them soon.