What's happening
This bill adds doulas as Medicaid medical service providers in New York and directs state agencies to seek federal approval.
Why it matters
Expanding Medicaid provider options to include doulas. could improve access to non-clinical, supportive care during pregnancy and childbirth, particularly for low-income individuals who may face disparities in maternal health outcomes.
Seeking federal approval and funding. for doula services under Medicaid means the state is aiming for long-term sustainability and potential cost-sharing with the federal government, potentially making the program more viable and comprehensive.
Empowering state agencies to quickly update regulations. ensures that if federal approval is granted, the implementation of doula services can proceed without delay—helping to address urgent maternal and infant health needs.
Including doulas as recognized providers. may help legitimize and professionalize the role of doulas in the healthcare system, possibly paving the way for future expansion of their services and greater integration into standard maternal care.
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Add Doulas to Medicaid
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Add Doulas to Medicaid
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor Roxanne J. Persaud
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4408
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES, THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to including doulas as medical services providers for Medicaid recipients; directing the commissioner of health to submit an application for amendments and waivers to add doulas to state Medicaid coverage; and directing the commissioner of health and the commissioner of the office of children and family services to add, amend and/or repeal any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (d) of subdivision 1 of section 364-j of the social services law, as amended by chapter 653 of the laws of 1997, is amended to read as follows:
(d) "Medical services provider". A physician, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, licensed midwife, doula, dentist, optometrist or other licensed health care practitioner authorized to provide medical assistance services.
§ 2. The commissioner of health is directed to apply for such state Medicaid plan amendments or waivers as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act and include doula care as a covered service under the state Medicaid plan, and to secure federal financial participation for state Medicaid expenditures for doula care under the federal Medicaid program.
§ 3. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed by the commissioner of health and the state commissioner of children and family services on or before such date.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately; provided that section one of this act shall take effect upon receipt by the commissioner of health
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05347-01-9
A. 4408 2
of approval from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to include doula care as a covered service under the state Medicaid plan; provided, further, that the amendments to section 364-j of the social services law made by section one of this act shall not affect the repeal of such section and shall be deemed repealed therewith. The commissioner of health shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the occurrence of the receipt of such approval in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.