Sarah Godlewski Convenes Milwaukee Maternal Health Roundtable, Calls for Decisive Action on Preventable Deaths and Racial Disparities

Wisconsin Secretary of State and candidate for Lieutenant Governor Sarah Godlewski convened a roundtable on maternal health in Milwaukee last week Thursday, bringing together lawmakers, healthcare professionals, birth workers, and community advocates to address the preventable deaths, barriers to care, and stark racial disparities that continue to put Wisconsin mothers at risk.

“The data is clear. Ninety percent of pregnancy-related deaths in Wisconsin are entirely preventable and pregnancy-related injuries and deaths disproportionately impact our Black community right here in Milwaukee,” Godlewski said. “That is unacceptable. We have to do more for Wisconsin mothers and families. Plain and simple.”

“We know what we’re feeling and what we need.” Bianca Shaw, local organizer and mother said. “But the needs of women, especially black women, are very often ignored by both doctors and lawmakers. That’s why these conversations and the people who participate in them matter.” 

Last week’s conversation came as the State Assembly passed a bill that would extend postpartum medicaid coverage from 60 days to twelve months. 

“When Governor Evers signs this bill into law, we will become the 49th state, before only Arkansas, to ensure healthcare to new moms a year after birth.” Godlewski said. “While this bill is something to celebrate, it’s a milestone we should have celebrated a lot sooner.”

Participants included State Senator Latonya Johnson; DeAnna Tharpe, local doula; Alyson Chavez-Stewart, Bilingual Director of Community Relations at Planned Parenthood Wisconsin; Bianca Shaw, local mom and organizer; Kate Duffy, Founder of Motherhood for Good; and Kathleen Tambellini, OB nurse and healthcare administrator.

“The people at that table today are doing the work every single day in clinics, in communities, in delivery rooms,” said Godlewski. “Wisconsin can and must do better, and this conversation made clear what that looks like: Medicaid expansion, reimbursement for doulas, coverage for postpartum care. These aren’t radical ideas. They’re the bare minimum.”

The roundtable is a part of Godlewski’s broader campaign focus on the health and economic security of Wisconsin families.