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Massachusetts hearing spotlights maternal health bills: doulas, midwives, full‑spectrum care and breast pump access
Summary
The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard wide testimony supporting expansion of doula coverage to private insurers, parity payment for certified nurse‑midwives, insurance coverage for full‑spectrum pregnancy care and improved breast‑pump access, with advocates stressing racial disparities and cost savings.
A large coalition of clinicians, community groups and patients asked the Joint Committee on Financial Services to expand insurance coverage of maternal health services — specifically private‑payer coverage for doulas, equal reimbursement for certified nurse‑midwives (CNMs), elimination of cost‑sharing for full‑spectrum pregnancy care and guaranteed access to hospital‑grade breast pumps.
Sen. Liz Miranda and other sponsors framed the doula bill (S 789 / H 13 12) as a step to address racial disparities in maternal outcomes. ‘‘Doulas save lives. They save money, and they help families thrive,’’ Miranda said. The draft would require private insurers to cover a baseline package of doula services, create a doula advisory committee to guide implementation,…
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