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Committee reports S 53 favorably to certify community-based perinatal doulas, seek Medicaid coverage
Summary
The House Ways & Means Committee voted to report S 53 favorably after staff outlined a voluntary certification regime for community-based perinatal doulas, initial and biennial fees, and a directive for the Agency of Human Services to pursue a Medicaid state plan amendment to cover doula services.
The House Ways & Means Committee voted Wednesday to report S 53 favorably after staff described a bill to create a voluntary certification for community-based perinatal doulas and to pursue Medicaid coverage for doula services.
"This is S 53, an act relating to certification of community based perinatal doulas and Medicaid coverage for doula services," said Jen Carby of the Office of Legislative Council as she walked the committee through the Senate-passed bill and subsequent House Health Care amendments.
The draft would create a new chapter in the Office of Professional Regulation statutes to certify community-based perinatal doulas — individuals who provide nonclinical, nonmedical emotional, physical and informational support during pregnancy, childbirth and up to one year postpartum, often to under-resourced and marginalized populations.
Certification would be voluntary and intended mainly to allow doulas to enroll as Medicaid providers. The draft sets fees at $75 for an initial application and $120 for a biennial renewal. Nolan (Fiscal Office) told the committee that Vermont has an estimated 70 to 100 practicing doulas and estimated application revenues in the first fiscal year of licensing could range between $4,500 and $7,500.
Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, said the Office of Professional Regulation does not plan to hire additional staff to administer the certification. "We do not plan to hire any additional staff as a result of taking on this profession," she said.
The bill directs the Agency of Human Services (AHS) and the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) to evaluate and pursue a state plan amendment with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services so Medicaid can reimburse doula services; the draft sets the program’s start date as July 1, 2026, or upon CMS approval of a state plan amendment, whichever is later.
Committee action and vote
Representative Kimball moved to report the bill favorably. After a roll call vote, the committee recorded a favorable report by a 10-0-1 tally; the clerk announced, “We have voted the bill favorable 10 0 1.”
Why it matters: supporters said the measure would create a vetted provider pathway for doulas to participate in Medicaid, directing OPR to establish certification standards and DVHA to determine timing and terms for a state plan amendment. Because certification is voluntary, the bill does not prohibit someone from practicing as a doula without certification; it instead creates a pathway for Medicaid reimbursement and a certification program for community-based doulas who aim to serve under-resourced populations.
Next steps
The committee voted to report the bill favorably to the floor. Staff noted OPR will start rulemaking ahead of a July 1, 2026 effective date for the certification program, and DVHA will determine timing for a state plan amendment request to CMS.
