Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Maternal Health Doula Care topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate committee hears evidence that Medicaid-covered doula care would be a low-cost intervention with health benefits
Summary
Sen. Cora Newman presented SB319 to allow optional Medicaid coverage of doula care and create a DLI oversight program; fiscal estimates in committee testimony showed modest general fund impact (~$117,000/year) if 6% of anticipated births access doulas, while proponents cited evidence of reduced preterm births and maternal mental-health benefits.
Sen. Cora Newman told the Senate Finance and Claims committee that Senate Bill 319 would create a doula oversight program in the Department of Labor and Industry and permit Montana Medicaid to cover doula care without mandating coverage. Newman summarized DPHHS estimates that a 6 percent uptake among roughly 44,750 projected births (about 2,850 births) would cost an estimated $4.456 million in total with the state's general fund share near $117,000 annually after FMAP adjustments. "So that's just shy of 120,000 each year for fiscal years '27, '28, and '29," Newman said.
Proponents framed the measure as a modest investment likely to yield clinical and fiscal savings. Stephanie Morton, executive director of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, said the Montana doula collaborative has identified roughly 300 potential providers and cited studies associating doula care with a 37 percent reduction in cesarean births, a 24 percent reduction in preterm births and a 64 percent reduction in postpartum anxiety and depression. "This is a simple investment for Montana's birthing mothers and children," Patrick Yawaki said, voicing tribal support.
Medicaid Chief Financial Manager Gene Hermanson and other informational witnesses addressed payment mechanics and technical notes. Hermanson said the technical concerns focus on how Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural health clinics (RHCs) and tribal entities are paid prospectively, and that implementing a fee‑for‑service rate for doulas would not prevent those providers from receiving their prospective payment. The transcript records an opponent, Jessica Kuykendall, who urged caution about state regulation of a traditionally private or community-based role for doulas.
Committee members asked about workforce size, certification versus licensure language, and how many births currently include doula support; proponents said tracking is limited but training grants and workforce investments have expanded the pool. The sponsor closed by saying SB319 represents a small investment with potentially large returns in maternal and infant health. The committee recessed and indicated it would take up votes the next day, holding some items for action.
