Rep. Rodriguez authors bill in Wisconsin Assembly to extend postpartum medical assistance

Jessie Rodriguez, Wisconsin State Representative of 21st District | Facebook

By S. R. Rose

Mar 1, 2025

This new bill authored by State Rep. Jessie Rodriguez in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to extend postpartum Medical Assistance coverage to improve healthcare access for eligible women beyond the current limit, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to seek federal approval to extend postpartum Medical Assistance benefits from the current 60 days to 365 days after pregnancy ends. This change would apply to women who qualify for these benefits during their pregnancy. It builds on previous legislation (Wisconsin Act 58) that aimed to extend postpartum coverage to 90 days. The Medicaid program in Wisconsin, which operates as a joint federal and state initiative, provides essential health services to individuals with limited financial resources. If approved by the federal government, these changes would offer extended healthcare coverage to postpartum women, contributing to their overall well-being beyond the initial postpartum period.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Julian Bradley (Republican-28th District), Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), and Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), along 86 other co-sponsors.

Jessie Rodriguez has co-authored or authored another seven bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Rodriguez graduated from Marquette University in 2002.

Rodriguez, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2013 to represent the state's 21st Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Mark Honadel.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Jessie Rodriguez in Wisconsin Assembly During 2025 Regular Session

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
AB97	02/28/2025	Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE)
AB78	02/28/2025	Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE)
AB77	02/28/2025	Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty
AB43	02/17/2025	Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)