House Health Care panel amends S.53 to require Medicaid state-plan amendment for doula coverage by July 1, 2026

The Vermont House Health Care Committee on May 8 approved an amendment to S.53 that directs the Department of Vermont Health Access to seek a Medicaid state plan amendment to provide permanent Medicaid coverage for doula services no later than July 1, 2026, and sets the statute’s effective date as the later of July 1, 2026, or approval of that state plan amendment.

Committee member Representative Gina, who introduced the amendment language, said the change was intended to remove ambiguity about whether a state plan amendment was required and to give the agency a firm deadline. "This would say not later than July first of 20 26. The Department of Vermont Health Access shall seek a state plan amendment," she said, adding she removed language saying "if needed" because "we understand it is" needed.

The amendment replaces the bill’s original Section 7 with a version that requires the Department of Vermont Health Access to request a SPA from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) "to allow Vermont's Medicaid program to provide coverage for doula…