[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6635805,"mediaKeyId","2618095-8acbb205db40dc92411f37ee51dacdac","parentId",2618095,"title","Committee advances bill to expand birth centers, raise doula reimbursement and expand fatherhood initiative amid questions on providers and costs","audioSeconds",203,"startMs",3835000,"endMs",4038000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2618095-8acbb205db40dc92411f37ee51dacdac&start=3835&end=4038","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2618095-8acbb205db40dc92411f37ee51dacdac/thumbnail_3835000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6635805/Connecticut/Committee-advances-bill-to-expand-birth-centers-raise-doula-reimbursement-and-expand-fatherhood-initiative-amid-questions-on-providers-and-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635805-17153bf47eaa452d32a6f6d80513b93e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137115&Signature=jiciGlcxATSo6mvnxFsS3vi0N~Fv5Nyt7mCWkuRjg1PrINHM-UYgmFSBJYuD3iE-xxTkhXpbN0dpdAqfowY5c0fTQxDx7zPel5nQ9T~B64GuLImppc8pNduImGMBOTiAIBzp1j62~TptD4UlwFNVMrmLWk6KAk36CpOe57~YGcLK12FgYYKFG~mMzXgvIcsT1-x90cd7AeiGXNdGmD27njogw-R2xL61uQe14JlE~GVc819Geh1qD6duJ2AU-f~VTngdo56nl9hsCUExc3aXuuzwtmUn3Bmp3XbENUI8Sj21CEMhvPW58j7RgT4qI3vSQHDJktLQvM6f86wS05GsWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Connecticut State Legislature - Human Services Committee","date","2025-03-14T01:57:57.653Z","article","The Human Services Committee advanced House Bill 7102, a multi‑part maternal and infant health proposal that includes: a plan from state agencies to expand birth centers and birthing hospitals in underserved areas; an increase in Medicaid reimbursement for doula services; and an expansion of a fatherhood initiative to improve fathers’ support for maternal health.

Members asked whether birth centers would be hospital‑associated or independent and whether they accept Medicaid and private insurance. Committee members were told Connecticut statutes require birthing centers to be associated with hospitals and that existing expanded birthing‑center statute has so far yielded only one operating center. Legislators and witnesses discussed closures of hospital labor and delivery units in parts of the state and the possibility of using birthing centers to address “maternity deserts.”

Several legislators asked how doulas are paid now and whether private ERISA plans cover doula services; members were reminded that ERISA plans are regulated by the federal government and can’t be required by state law, which limits what the state can mandate. The bill’s sponsor said Medicaid covers some doula payments but that the measure would expand Medicaid coverage and would rely on available appropriations for the higher reimbursement.

Committee members asked about malpractice and insurance for non‑medical support persons, and the sponsor said doulas typically carry their own liability coverage or are covered by groups that employ them; the bill does not mandate liability arrangements.

Why it matters: The measure aims to increase maternity care capacity and support for birthing families in regions that have lost hospital‑based labor and delivery services. Sponsors argued the bill targets equity gaps in access and postpartum support; members from both parties sought clarity on costs and regulatory barriers.

What’s next: Committee members voted to advance the bill; the chair and sponsor said further fiscal and implementation questions would be addressed in follow‑up outreach to the Department of Social Services and other agencies.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Human Services Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 7102 would direct state agencies to increase birth centers, boost Medicaid doula reimbursement and expand fatherhood programs. Members pressed for details on facility models, Medicaid billing, ERISA‑covered private plans and where funding would come from.","taxTitle","Human Services, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Connecticut","taxId",15588,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6635810,"Connecticut human services committee advances study of ‘Husky for All’ single‑payer proposal amid cost and access questions",142,3178000,3320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2618095-8acbb205db40dc92411f37ee51dacdac&start=3178&end=3320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2618095-8acbb205db40dc92411f37ee51dacdac/thumbnail_3178000.jpg","/articles/6635810/Connecticut/Connecticut-human-services-committee-advances-study-of-Husky-for-All-singlepayer-proposal-amid-cost-and-access-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635810-eafeea79894a194ab4fa816fbb46ba2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137115&Signature=RA8Xmk4o90Ra1rRKUrh1losFC1l-WEO8QcXFjTPriOxRbUsap2~YMW2xRxExvW-Eto4wFLpUbwkBLY7bLhWPxUHm1tLOw5sggTA4JtkqCHjHmcoJwttbMoSeTtqVi5QrWRXHxNnW-AoXZ4Udg4KiXf0xlFuxLadZzfS8x6eLxy2FB~qg-aTGxLIFKm18CZzQhlYSzepdFXxfFMVJg4hjK~GW~jLoDicx8M-qvp~HqTntvBi4eHYFMSlpMlCUV18BZe37Sdw2OLWCYqjUT8Ly965-bitd6OJEbKg8~lLEE~fkb5cAPweqX3QEzqv3DKyIrbAHcUzesMDMb3UIRJdaBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Human Services Committee voted to send forward House Bill 7101, which would create a commission to study expanding the Husky Medicaid program into a statewide single‑payer “Husky for All” model.

Supporters said the study is intended to assess whether a single‑payer structure could reduce costs and increase access to care. Opponents, including several Republican and some moderate Democratic members, cautioned that lower reimbursement rates under government programs can threaten hospitals’ finances and reduce access to care—particularly at smaller facilities—unless the proposal ensures adequate provider payment and addresses how commercial contributions would be replaced.

Members pressed for clarity about the commission’s charge, membership and whether the panel would review prior studies. Representative Perillo and others said an updated, objective fiscal and access analysis is critical and urged that the commission include individuals who will not enter the review with a predetermined viewpoint. Several legislators asked that the commission review how changes to reimbursement interact with hospital budgets, the role of commercial payers in cross‑subsidizing government patients, and whether particular facilities could be at risk.

Committee leaders said the commission’s authorizing language (lines cited during debate) lays out membership and scope; supporters added they expect the commission to consider prior analyses and to produce updated recommendations. The clerk called a roll; committee members recorded their votes and the chair said votes would be held open for members to finalize their positions before the measure proceeds.

Why it matters: The bill launches a formal study of a far‑reaching health‑policy change that could affect hospitals, employers, enrollees and state budgets. Lawmakers and stakeholders will watch the commission’s membership and the fiscal methods it adopts to estimate costs and potential system‑level effects.

What’s next: The committee moved the bill forward for further consideration; proponents and critics signaled they will continue pushing for specific fiscal and provider‑impact analysis during the next stages of the legislative process.

","Lawmakers on the Human Services Committee advanced House Bill 7101 to create a commission to study a single‑payer “Husky for All” model. Committee members debated potential impacts on provider reimbursement, hospital viability and employer costs; several members urged careful, unbiased membership and thorough fiscal analysis.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee advances bill to expand birth centers, raise doula reimbursement and expand fatherhood initiative amid questions on providers and costs

Connecticut human services committee advances study of ‘Husky for All’ single‑payer proposal amid cost and access questions