Massachusetts is set to pass a major maternal health bill that will improve care by licensing midwives, expanding postpartum services, and requiring insurance coverage for key maternal health needs.
Massachusetts Poised to Pass Maternal Health Bill to License Midwives and Expand Postpartum Care Services
According to the Washington Examiner, Massachusetts is set to pass a major maternal health bill that will license midwives, support freestanding birth centers, and expand postpartum care, including insurance coverage for mental health screenings. And is waiting for Governor Maura Healey to sign it.
A key part of the bill is the introduction of a state license for certified professional midwives, who will also need to coordinate emergency care if needed and will be able to prescribe certain medications under new rules. The bill directs the Department of Public Health (DPH) to update regulations for freestanding birth centers to make sure they are safe and accessible. The legislation also aims to reduce maternal health disparities, especially among Black women, by expanding access to postpartum services and increasing public awareness about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
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Massachusetts Set to Revolutionize Maternal Health: 4 Key Features of Landmark Legislation Aiming to Improve Care for New Mothers and Reduce Racial Disparities (PHOTO: Washington Examiner)
Massachusetts Maternal Health Bill Mandates Insurance Coverage for Donor Milk to Support Premature Babies and Address Health Inequities
Due to the increasing rates of maternal health issues in Massachusetts, the bill requires health insurers to cover important services like pasteurized donor human milk, which is vital for the growth of premature babies. Supporters of the bill, like Democratic state Rep. Marjorie Decker, believe it will greatly improve maternal care and help reduce racial health inequalities, ensuring that all families have access to better and safer care options.
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