Patrick Snyder, Wisconsin State Representative for 85th District | Facebook
Patrick Snyder, Wisconsin State Representative for 85th District | Facebook
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), and 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 with 86 other co-sponsors.
Patrick Snyder has authored or co-authored another nine bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Snyder graduated from the University of Iowa in 1978 with a BA.
Snyder, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2017 to represent the state's 85th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Dave Heaton.
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.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB97 | 02/28/2025 | Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE) |
| AB27 | 02/17/2025 | Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War |
| AB23 | 02/07/2025 | Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE) |
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