BOSTON (AP) — A sweeping maternal health bill has cleared both legislative chambers and is awaiting Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey’s signature. The bill would create a pathway for midwives and lactation consultants to obtain licenses, encourage the creation of more freestanding birth centers, and establish a grant program to address maternal mental health and substance use disorder.
The legislation would also expand the statewide universal postpartum home visiting program and mandate that insurers provide coverage for postpartum depression and major depressive disorder screenings for perinatal individuals. “This maternal health bill will save lives for all birthing families in Massachusetts," said Democratic state Rep. Marjorie Decker, one of the supporters of the bill.
“I am so proud that we continue to lead the nation in safeguarding reproductive health and honoring birthing autonomy by allowing more birthing options, expanding equitable access to midwifery care and postpartum support, and providing better insurance coverage for perinatal individuals,” she added. The legislation would create a state license that certified professional midwives must receive in order to practice midwifery, and require certain insurance providers, such as MassHealth, to cover doula and midwifery services including prenatal care, childbirth and postpartum care. The bill would also create the Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to license and prov.