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Committee hears SB 319 to license doulas and enable Medicaid coverage; stakeholders largely supportive with technical fixes
Summary
Senate Bill 319 would license doulas, allow DPHHS to cover licensed doula services through Medicaid, and create licensing rulemaking; proponents — including tribal representatives, health groups and doulas — said licensure would improve maternal outcomes and access, while the Department of Labor & Industry worked with stakeholders on an amendment to avoid unintended enforcement against traditional healers.
Senator Cora Newman presented Senate Bill 319 to the House Health and Human Services Committee, describing the amended bill as creating licensure and regulation for doulas and enabling the Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid coverage for licensed doula services. "A doula is a trained non medical professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a pregnant woman," Newman said in opening remarks.
Testimony came from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, the Montana Doula Collaborative, clinicians and tribal representatives who said licensing and Medicaid coverage would expand access in many maternity‑care deserts across the state and could reduce preterm births, cesarean rates and postpartum anxiety. Stephanie Morton of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies said licensing is the key to unlocking public and private payer reimbursement and emphasized that the bill allows but does not require Medicaid coverage.
Commissioner Sarah Swanson of the Department of Labor & Industry raised technical objections tied to occupational‑licensing code but withdrew her formal objection after stakeholders and DLI negotiated an amendment clarifying scope and protecting traditional healing practices. Quinlan O'Connor (DLI legal counsel) said the amendment addresses drafting issues such as unintended supervisory authority over licensed practitioners.
Supporters included rural doulas, certified nurse midwives and tribal health representatives who underscored disproportionate maternal mortality and morbidity among indigenous populations and rural families. The committee heard multiple brief statements of support and letters for the record. The hearing concluded with the sponsor urging the committee to pass the bill as amended; no committee vote was recorded on SB 319 at the hearing.
