Sec. 5. MACPAC report and CMS guidance on increasing access to doula services for Medicaid beneficiaries
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/bill/118/s/3090/is/section-5A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (referred to in this section as MACPAC ) shall publish a report on the coverage of doula services under State Medicaid programs, which shall at a minimum include the following: Information about coverage for doula services under State Medicaid programs that currently provide coverage for such care, including the type of doula services offered (such as prenatal, labor and delivery, postpartum support, and community-based and traditional doula services), credentialing and provider enrollment requirements for doulas under State Medicaid programs, additional forms of support contributing to doula enrollment and reimbursement under State Medicaid programs, and data on outcomes with respect to doula services under each State Medicaid program, including the number of doulas registered under the State Medicaid program, the number of pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people served by doulas under the State Medicaid program, and the amount of time it takes for doulas to receive payment under the State Medicaid program for services provided under the program.
An analysis of barriers to covering doula services under State Medicaid programs. An identification of effective strategies to increase the use of doula services in order to provide better care and achieve better maternal and infant health outcomes, including strategies that States may use to recruit, train, sutain, and certify a diverse doula workforce, particularly from underserved communities, communities of color, and communities facing linguistic or cultural barriers. Recommendations for legislative and administrative actions to increase access to doula services in State Medicaid programs, including actions that ensure doulas may earn a sustainable living wage that accounts for their time and costs associated with providing care and community-based doula program administration and operation.
In developing the report required under paragraph (1), MACPAC shall consult with relevant stakeholders, including— States; organizations, especially reproductive justice and birth justice organizations led by people of color, representing consumers of maternal health care, including those that are disproportionately impacted by poor maternal health outcomes; organizations and individuals representing doulas, including community-based doula programs and those who serve underserved communities, including communities of color, and communities facing linguistic or cultural barriers; organizations representing health care providers; and Black, Indigenous, and other maternal health care consumers of color who have experienced severe maternal morbidity.
Not later than 1 year after the date that MACPAC publishes the report required under subsection (a)(1), the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall issue guidance to States on increasing access to doula services under Medicaid. Such guidance shall at a minimum include— options for States to provide medical assistance for doula services under State Medicaid programs; best practices for ensuring that doulas, including community-based doulas, receive reimbursement for doula services provided under a State Medicaid program, at a level that allows doulas to earn a living wage that accounts for their time and costs associated with providing care and community-based doula program administration; and best practices for increasing access to doula services, including services provided by community-based doulas, under State Medicaid programs.
In developing the guidance required under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall consult with MACPAC and other relevant stakeholders, including— State Medicaid officials; organizations representing consumers of maternal health care, including those that are disproportionately impacted by poor maternal health outcomes; organizations representing doulas, including community-based doulas and those who serve underserved communities, such as communities of color and communities facing linguistic or cultural barriers; organizations representing medical professionals; and maternal health advocacy organizations.