Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley – the Democratic candidate for governor – used a recent Cap Times questionnaire to detail a sweeping strategy aimed at reducing Wisconsin’s persistently high Black infant mortality rate. The questionnaire, part of the Cap Times “Deadly Divide” series, asked candidates to explain how they would address the disparity that has long plagued the state.

Crowley’s policy blueprint

Crowley emphasizes that infant mortality is a litmus test for whether Wisconsin’s systems serve every family. He calls for expanding Medicaid‑based prenatal care, paid family and medical leave, transportation assistance, telehealth, group prenatal programs, and postpartum home visits. He also stresses that maternal health begins well before pregnancy, noting that untreated chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and mental‑health issues drive poor birth outcomes.

Key components of his plan include:

• Creating a public option to broaden health‑care coverage for pregnant women.
• Funding doulas, community health workers, dental care, nutrition services, and mental‑health screening through Medicaid and state grants.
• Supporting the First Breath perinatal care pilot and expanding community‑based programs to reduce the burden on families navigating complex systems.
• Investing in a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, with scholarships, loan repayment, and fair compensation for doulas and health workers.
• Requiring hospitals to publicly report maternal and infant outcomes by race and geography, and to partner with local communities on improvement plans.
• Establishing an infant‑death review board modeled on best‑practice states, focused on learning and prevention rather than blame.

In addition to health‑care reforms, Crowley calls for coordinated investments in affordable housing, nutrition, reliable transportation, environmental protections, paid leave, child‑care, and early‑education programs – all of which he says shape the conditions that affect pregnancy and child‑rearing.

Republican response absent

Republican gubernatorial nominee U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany did not complete the questionnaire and has not issued any public comment on Black infant health despite multiple outreach attempts over seven weeks. The Cap Times was unable to locate any campaign statements on the issue.

Without a response, Wisconsin voters lack a clear picture of the GOP’s approach to this pressing public‑health challenge. The absence of a policy outline leaves families and community groups without guidance on how the administration might address the systemic factors contributing to infant deaths.

Why the issue matters to Wisconsin families

Black infant mortality rates in Wisconsin remain among the highest in the nation, with a disproportionate share of deaths occurring in central Milwaukee ZIP codes. Reducing these numbers is not only a health imperative but also a measure of whether the state’s social and economic structures work for every family.

Crowley’s proposals align with traditional family values by seeking to protect mothers and newborns through stronger health coverage, paid leave, and community support. They also reflect a faith‑informed commitment to caring for the most vulnerable, a principle that resonates with many Wisconsin residents.

As the gubernatorial race heads toward the November ballot, Wisconsin voters will need to weigh Crowley’s detailed plan against the silence from the Republican ticket. The outcome will shape the state’s ability to invest in the health of its families and to close a racial gap that has persisted for far too long.

Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.