Wisconsin News Connection

Report: BBB Could Help with Maternal Care Needs in WI

Mike Moen

MADISON, Wis. - As Congress debates the Build Back Better plan, a new report shows how it could address health coverage needs for children and families.

Policy experts in Wisconsin say there could be key benefits in maternal care. The final version of the Biden administration's spending package is up in the air, but an analysis from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families said there are some health-care provisions to monitor, including extending postpartum Medicaid coverage for one year.

William Parke-Sutherland, a health-policy analyst for the group Kids Forward, said it would be a major benefit to new mothers, even as Wisconsin recently has moved to expand the window to 90 days.

"That's still not nearly enough time to ensure continuity of care and make sure that moms get the follow-up care that they need," he said, "and also have continuous coverage to address maternal health concerns."

He said the year-long coverage period under Build Back Better would especially benefit Black mothers in Wisconsin. Research has shown their maternal mortality rate is five times higher than that of white mothers.

The Biden plan has won House approval, but faces obstacles in the Senate, with some members saying it's too broad in scope and too expensive.

Report co-author Joan Alker, a research professor at Georgetown's McCourt School of Public Policy and executive director of its Center for Children and Families, added that Build Back Better also would permanently fund the Children's Health Insurance Program, so it doesn't have to be renewed in Congress every few years.

"Hopefully this will provide an opportunity for stability in the CHIP program," she said, "to allow states to try to get to the finish line here, and get all kids covered."

Build Back Better doesn't expand either Medicaid or CHIP, but the report shows it could bolster the programs, and keep insurance coverage stable for families dealing with temporary changes to their income. In Wisconsin, kids in families of three earning up to about $67,000 a year are eligible for coverage.