PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1888, 2972
PRINTER'S NO. 3038
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1608
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY CEPHAS, MADDEN, SANCHEZ, HANBIDGE, KRAJEWSKI,
ISAACSON, HILL-EVANS, SCHLOSSBERG, RABB, MAYES, KHAN, GUENST,
PARKER, FIEDLER, HOHENSTEIN, O'MARA, OTTEN, BULLOCK, KIM,
KINKEAD, CURRY, FLEMING, GREEN, BOYD, D. WILLIAMS,
SHUSTERMAN, PIELLI, SALISBURY AND T. DAVIS, AUGUST 7, 2023
AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
MAY 1, 2024
AN ACT
Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
welfare laws of the Commonwealth," in public assistance,
providing for medical assistance coverage for doula services.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known
as the Human Services Code, is amended by adding a section to
read:
Section 443.15. Medical Assistance Coverage for Doula
Services.--(a) Subject to Federal approval, doula services are
compensable under the medical assistance program for eligible
and enrolled medical assistance recipients during pregnancy,
labor and delivery and up to one year postpartum.
(b) The department shall establish a Doula Advisory Board to
advise the secretary regarding the following:
(1) Doula best practices.
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(2) Doula participation in the medical assistance program.
(3) Racial and geographic disparities in the provision of
maternal health services.
(4) Equity and inclusion best practices.
(c) The Doula Advisory Board shall include the following:
(1) The secretary.
(2) A representative from the Department of State.
(3) A representative from the Office of Medical Assistance
Programs within the department.
(4) A representative from the Bureau of Family Health within
the Department of Health.
(5) A representative from the Office of Health Equity within
the Department of Health.
(6) A representative from a nationally recognized doula
organization.
(7) A doula practicing in this Commonwealth.
(8) A member of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee
established under the act of May 9, 2018 (P.L.118, No.24), known
as the Maternal Mortality Review Act.
(9) A member of a commission that supports doula practice in
Pennsylvania.
(10) As deemed appropriate by the department, any other
residents of this Commonwealth who represent the diverse
demographics of Pennsylvania.
(d) The department shall seek a State plan amendment or
Federal waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, if needed, for provision of doula services under the
medical assistance program.
(e) As used in this section, the term "doula" shall mean a
professional trained to provide physical, emotional and
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informational support to a pregnant individual MOTHER before,
during and after childbirth.
Section 2. If a necessary State plan amendment or Federal
waiver under section 443.15 of the act is approved by the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Secretary of
Human Services shall transmit notice of the approval to the
Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the next
available issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Section 3. This act shall take effect as follows:
(1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), the addition
of section 443.15 of the act shall take effect 30 days
following publication of the notice under section 2 of this
act.
(2) The addition of section 443.15(b) and (c) of the act
shall take effect immediately.
(3) The remainder of this act shall take effect
immediately.
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