This #BirthTaxTuesday, a reminder that the Birth Tax, a medical collections process coordinated by state agencies and run by counties to recover birth expenses for unmarried people on WI Medicaid, is NOT child support. None of the money collected supports mothers or children.
February 11, 2025 at 2:41 PM
This #BirthTaxTuesday, a reminder that the Birth Tax, a medical collections process coordinated by state agencies and run by counties to recover birth expenses for unmarried people on WI Medicaid, is NOT child support. None of the money collected supports mothers or children.
#BirthTaxTuesday: Maternal Mortality & Loss of Coverage: 2/3 of pregnancy-related deaths occur postpartum, 1/3 occurring 43-365 days postpartum. Yet, in WI, loss of Medicaid due to birth tax noncompliance takes place 60 days after birth. Source: www.commonwealthfund.org/publications...
Insights into the U.S. Maternal Mortality Crisis: An International Comparison
U.S. policymakers and delivery system leaders could learn from international models of maternity care, including for postpartum support and workforce composition.
www.commonwealthfund.org
June 24, 2025 at 7:11 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: Maternal Mortality & Loss of Coverage: 2/3 of pregnancy-related deaths occur postpartum, 1/3 occurring 43-365 days postpartum. Yet, in WI, loss of Medicaid due to birth tax noncompliance takes place 60 days after birth. Source: www.commonwealthfund.org/publications...
This #BirthTaxTuesday: the application process for BadgerCare & Medicaid requires pregnant, unmarried women to identify the baby’s father or face sanctions. This requirement alone may deter women from getting prenatal care. Learn more: www.safetyweb.org/healthwatchw...
Birth Tax
Wisconsin is among a small handful of states that continues to pursue this policy, and takes the most aggressive enforcement posture in the nation, collecting over $16 million in 2016. Unlike child s...
www.safetyweb.org
February 4, 2025 at 4:31 PM
This #BirthTaxTuesday: the application process for BadgerCare & Medicaid requires pregnant, unmarried women to identify the baby’s father or face sanctions. This requirement alone may deter women from getting prenatal care. Learn more: www.safetyweb.org/healthwatchw...
This #BirthTaxTuesday, a Birth Tax 101: Known as Birth Cost Recovery, the practice allows states to pursue recovery of Medicaid-supported birthing costs from non-custodial fathers. None of the recovered dollars go to support the children and families. Learn more: www.safetyweb.org/healthwatchw...
Birth Tax
Wisconsin is among a small handful of states that continues to pursue this policy, and takes the most aggressive enforcement posture in the nation, collecting over $16 million in 2016. Unlike child s...
www.safetyweb.org
January 28, 2025 at 7:04 PM
This #BirthTaxTuesday, a Birth Tax 101: Known as Birth Cost Recovery, the practice allows states to pursue recovery of Medicaid-supported birthing costs from non-custodial fathers. None of the recovered dollars go to support the children and families. Learn more: www.safetyweb.org/healthwatchw...
#BirthTaxTuesday: Wisconsin Collections: Wisconsin has consistently been one of the most aggressive collectors of the Birth Tax, even pursuing collections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 12, 2025 at 6:27 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: Wisconsin Collections: Wisconsin has consistently been one of the most aggressive collectors of the Birth Tax, even pursuing collections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
#BirthTaxTuesday: Cooperation with CSAs Generally: Birth tax collections are not the only state program that requires birthing parents to cooperate with Child Support Agencies.
August 5, 2025 at 4:44 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: Cooperation with CSAs Generally: Birth tax collections are not the only state program that requires birthing parents to cooperate with Child Support Agencies.
#BirthTaxTuesday: Who's still collecting? After Milwaukee and Dane Counties stopped collections, Racine Co. is now the most aggressive collector. Why #Stopthebirthtax? The policy impacts black and indigenous families more than white families.
July 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: Who's still collecting? After Milwaukee and Dane Counties stopped collections, Racine Co. is now the most aggressive collector. Why #Stopthebirthtax? The policy impacts black and indigenous families more than white families.
#BirthTaxTuesday: As of 2024, Milwaukee Co, previously the largest collector of Birth Tax in WI, set all judgments to $0 and vowed to eliminate Birth Tax judgments. The County cited the disproportionate impact on minority families as motivating change. www.safetyweb.org/pdfs/Milwauk...
www.safetyweb.org
July 22, 2025 at 3:16 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: As of 2024, Milwaukee Co, previously the largest collector of Birth Tax in WI, set all judgments to $0 and vowed to eliminate Birth Tax judgments. The County cited the disproportionate impact on minority families as motivating change. www.safetyweb.org/pdfs/Milwauk...
#BirthTaxTuesday: Methods of Collection from Fathers: In order to collect the birth tax from fathers, counties have garnished wages or intercepted income from other sources including tax refunds, stimulus checks, and even unemployment bonuses.
July 15, 2025 at 6:43 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: Methods of Collection from Fathers: In order to collect the birth tax from fathers, counties have garnished wages or intercepted income from other sources including tax refunds, stimulus checks, and even unemployment bonuses.
#BirthTaxTuesday: WI’s biennial budget act was enacted with no mention of eliminating birth cost recovery. Gov. Evers included eliminating birth cost recovery in his budget recommendations, but the joint finance committee removed it from consideration.
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related...
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related...
Wisconsin Legislature: 2025 Wisconsin Act 15
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
July 8, 2025 at 1:59 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: WI’s biennial budget act was enacted with no mention of eliminating birth cost recovery. Gov. Evers included eliminating birth cost recovery in his budget recommendations, but the joint finance committee removed it from consideration.
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related...
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related...
#BirthTaxTuesday: Invasiveness of Cooperation: Child support agencies often ask invasive and uncomfortable questions to mothers when determining paternity of their child. These questions may include information about finances, sexual history, and genetic testing: www.propublica.org/article/to-g...
These Single Moms Are Forced to Choose: Reveal Their Sexual Histories or Forfeit Welfare
Women who apply for welfare often have to identify who fathered their children and when they got pregnant, among other deeply personal details. State governments use that information to pursue child s...
www.propublica.org
July 1, 2025 at 6:23 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: Invasiveness of Cooperation: Child support agencies often ask invasive and uncomfortable questions to mothers when determining paternity of their child. These questions may include information about finances, sexual history, and genetic testing: www.propublica.org/article/to-g...
#BirthTaxTuesday: No money collected from the Birth Tax goes toward directly financially supporting families and children. However, participating counties receive 15% of the Birth Tax collections. A County Bounty.
June 17, 2025 at 6:28 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: No money collected from the Birth Tax goes toward directly financially supporting families and children. However, participating counties receive 15% of the Birth Tax collections. A County Bounty.
#BirthTaxTuesday: Birth Tax is Not Required: Under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, birth tax collections are not a required practice, but instead entirely optional.
June 3, 2025 at 8:43 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: Birth Tax is Not Required: Under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, birth tax collections are not a required practice, but instead entirely optional.
#BirthTaxTuesday: a reminder that there is a process in Wisconsin to be exempt from the Birth Tax called "good cause." We explain the good cause exception: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQbA...
The "Good Cause" Exception to the Birth Tax
YouTube video by HealthWatch Wisconsin
www.youtube.com
April 29, 2025 at 7:07 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: a reminder that there is a process in Wisconsin to be exempt from the Birth Tax called "good cause." We explain the good cause exception: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQbA...
This #BirthTaxTuesday, a free resource: Birth Tax & Good Cause 101 Fact Sheet: www.safetyweb.org/pdfs/BirthTa...
www.safetyweb.org
April 22, 2025 at 1:16 PM
This #BirthTaxTuesday, a free resource: Birth Tax & Good Cause 101 Fact Sheet: www.safetyweb.org/pdfs/BirthTa...
#BirthTaxTuesday: Why end the #BirthTax? In 2023, WI counties held *$106 million* of medical debt judgments for the birth of a baby to unmarried parents enrolled in Medicaid. That's ~79,000 Birth Tax judgments.
April 15, 2025 at 3:49 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: Why end the #BirthTax? In 2023, WI counties held *$106 million* of medical debt judgments for the birth of a baby to unmarried parents enrolled in Medicaid. That's ~79,000 Birth Tax judgments.
This #BirthTaxTuesday, a new policy brief concludes: "Ending Birth Cost Recovery across the state may reduce harm on Wisconsin families and result in more child support money going to children and their custodial parent." real.smph.wisc.edu/wp-content/u...
real.smph.wisc.edu
April 8, 2025 at 1:19 PM
This #BirthTaxTuesday, a new policy brief concludes: "Ending Birth Cost Recovery across the state may reduce harm on Wisconsin families and result in more child support money going to children and their custodial parent." real.smph.wisc.edu/wp-content/u...
#BirthTaxTuesday: The collection of the Birth Tax is a pre-natal stressor. It can result in negative health outcomes for infants, like low birth weight or even infant mortality. Read more on stressors and mental health of mothers: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
March 25, 2025 at 7:01 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: The collection of the Birth Tax is a pre-natal stressor. It can result in negative health outcomes for infants, like low birth weight or even infant mortality. Read more on stressors and mental health of mothers: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
#BirthTaxTuesday: Did you know, other states have invalidated the Birth Tax. In fact, Idaho invalidated birth cost recovery after a district court ruled it was unconstitutional saying the state’s application of the Medicaid reimbursement statute violated equal protection rights.
March 18, 2025 at 9:04 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: Did you know, other states have invalidated the Birth Tax. In fact, Idaho invalidated birth cost recovery after a district court ruled it was unconstitutional saying the state’s application of the Medicaid reimbursement statute violated equal protection rights.
#BirthTaxTuesday: Why #StopTheBirthTax? Preliminary research findings are that child support compliance increased for black families when the birth tax was eliminated: www.irp.wisc.edu/resource/eff...
Effects of Medicaid Birth Cost Recovery Policy Changes on Child Support Outcomes
Research | Training | Policy | Practice
www.irp.wisc.edu
March 11, 2025 at 1:22 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: Why #StopTheBirthTax? Preliminary research findings are that child support compliance increased for black families when the birth tax was eliminated: www.irp.wisc.edu/resource/eff...
This #BirthTaxTuesday, a reminder (especially as we approach tax time) that yes, tax refunds can be taken to pay the birth tax! It could be thousands of dollars. Just another reminder how the #BirthTax is NOT child support! No money supports the mother or child. dcf.wisconsin.gov/cs/benefits-...
March 4, 2025 at 3:15 PM
This #BirthTaxTuesday, a reminder (especially as we approach tax time) that yes, tax refunds can be taken to pay the birth tax! It could be thousands of dollars. Just another reminder how the #BirthTax is NOT child support! No money supports the mother or child. dcf.wisconsin.gov/cs/benefits-...
#BirthTaxTuesday: in his 2025-27 Executive Budget, WI Gov. Evers recommends ending the practice of birth cost recovery so that additional family resources go toward supporting the children!
February 25, 2025 at 3:19 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: in his 2025-27 Executive Budget, WI Gov. Evers recommends ending the practice of birth cost recovery so that additional family resources go toward supporting the children!
#BirthTaxTuesday: Promoting Education & Outreach about the Birth Tax at the Maternal Health Innovation Meeting at this year's Fulfilling the Promise Conference! @HealthWatchWi
February 18, 2025 at 10:20 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: Promoting Education & Outreach about the Birth Tax at the Maternal Health Innovation Meeting at this year's Fulfilling the Promise Conference! @HealthWatchWi
#BirthTaxTuesday: While a birth tax judgment is against a father, the policy creates a “catch-22” for low-income pregnant women in Medicaid: cooperate and identify the father to initiate a collections action against him or refuse to cooperate and be sanctioned from Medicaid.
February 18, 2025 at 9:23 PM
#BirthTaxTuesday: While a birth tax judgment is against a father, the policy creates a “catch-22” for low-income pregnant women in Medicaid: cooperate and identify the father to initiate a collections action against him or refuse to cooperate and be sanctioned from Medicaid.
We're bringing back #BirthTaxTuesday posts! Join us each Tuesday on social media platforms to talk about the birth cost recovery policy - what it is, how it impacts Wisconsin families, recent successes in eliminating the policy in certain counties, and more!
January 21, 2025 at 3:59 PM
We're bringing back #BirthTaxTuesday posts! Join us each Tuesday on social media platforms to talk about the birth cost recovery policy - what it is, how it impacts Wisconsin families, recent successes in eliminating the policy in certain counties, and more!