An Act promoting and enhancing the sustainability of birth centers and the midwifery workforce
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill establishes a fund to support the midwifery workforce and birth centers in Massachusetts. It aims to increase the sustainability of these services by providing funding for midwifery education, student loan forgiveness, local program development, midwife retention, and mental health support. Additionally, the bill modifies insurance regulations to ensure equitable payment rates for midwifery services and birth center care, and establishes a community birth data registry to improve birth outcomes and quality of care.
Key provisions
- Creates the Midwifery Workforce Development Fund to provide financial support for midwifery education, loan forgiveness, and retention.
- Modifies insurance regulations to ensure midwives and birth centers receive payment rates equal to those for physicians.
- Establishes a community birth data registry to track birth outcomes and support quality improvement efforts.
- Requires the Department of Public Health to develop licensing requirements and facility guidelines for birth centers.
- Waives plan review fees for birth centers facing financial hardship.
- Mandates midwives to record data on community births in a validated registry.
- Amends Chapter 175 to establish minimum payment rates for birth center services.
- Amends Chapter 176A and 176B to ensure equitable payment rates for certified nurse midwives and licensed certified professional midwives.
Who is affected
Bill text
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Sponsors
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39 on record
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Cosponsors
Amy Mah Sangiolo
Christopher J. Worrell
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