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Committee moves bill to require Medicaid and PEIA to cover doula services
Summary
The Senate Finance Committee voted to report Senate Bill 292 to the full Senate, a bill that would require PEIA and Medicaid to cover doula services.
The Senate Finance Committee voted to report Senate Bill 292 to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass.
Committee Counsel summarized the measure as requiring both PEIA (the Public Employees Insurance Agency) and Medicaid to cover doula services, which neither program currently covers. Counsel defined a doula in committee: a trained, nonmedical professional who provides physical, emotional and informational support during pregnancy, complementary to medical care but without authority to administer medication or medical treatment.
Counsel said the bill would provide coverage from the date of confirmed conception up to 365 days after delivery. Counsel also reported a cost estimate for PEIA of $311,000 and indicated the explanation was provided by the Committee on Health and Human Resources.
A senator representing the thirteenth expressed support, saying constituents had reported that doula support can improve pregnancy outcomes and that state Department of Health and Human Resources staff believed the services could help. There were no recorded amendments; the vice chairman moved the bill be reported and the chair declared the ayes had it on a voice vote. Senate Bill 292 will be reported to the full Senate.
Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 292 — motion to report to full Senate with recommendation that it do pass; voice vote; chair declared motion adopted (counts not specified).
