Governor signs omnibus maternal‑health law expanding midwifery, doulas and perinatal mental‑health supports

Governor and legislative leaders gathered at the Office of the Governor for a ceremonial signing of an omnibus maternal‑health measure, Bill H4999, intended to expand access to midwifery care, freestanding birth centers, doulas and perinatal mental‑health services across Massachusetts.

Supporters framed the law as a concrete step to address long‑standing racial and income disparities in maternal outcomes. Rep. Marjorie Decker, who helped lead the legislative process, credited the Special Legislative Commission on Racial Inequities in Maternal Health and a broad coalition of advocates and providers for shaping the measure. Decker said the bill "will make it safer, will make it more equitable" and "enable more families to benefit from the outstanding care provided by midwives and doulas in our state." (Speakers: Rep. Marjorie Decker; S3 introduction.)

Sen. Cindy Friedman, a conference committee co‑chair, highlighted the bipartisan, conference‑committee negotiations that produced the omnibus bill and emphasized provisions that expand coverage and professional recognition for midwives and doulas. Tiffany Bassil of the Neighborhood Birth Center called the enactment a "watershed moment" that will let birth centers expand services in historically marginalized communities.

Advocates and researchers who testified or served on the commission said the law addresses multiple system components: family and community engagement, public‑health infrastructure, workforce development and regulatory changes for freestanding birth centers. Dr. Ndidi Amaka Amucha Onukaga, director of the Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice, described the commission’s recommendations and said some items remain to be pursued, but she called Bill H4999 "the right direction forward." (Speakers: Dr. Ndidi Amaka Amucha Onukaga; S1.)

Several speakers cited racial disparity statistics during remarks. Rep. Brandi Fluker Oakley said Black birthing women in Massachusetts are "twice as likely to die in childbirth," and she and others pointed to institutional and environmental racism—examples included redlining and dismissive clinical treatment—as contributing factors the law seeks to address through targeted programs and supports.

Emily Anesta, president of the Bay State Birth Coalition, noted that the legislature "voted unanimously to pass this bill," and speakers thanked Gov. Healey and Lt. Gov. Driscoll for their support. The bill’s text (referred to in remarks as Bill H4999) includes measures to certify or license midwives, enable MassHealth and other payers to cover midwifery and doula services in more settings, and facilitate the growth of freestanding birth centers.

Event speakers described next steps as implementation and continued work to translate commission recommendations into practice. Presenters emphasized expanding perinatal and postpartum mental‑health screening and treatment, integrating doulas and community health workers into care teams, and strengthening cultural competence among clinicians. The ceremony concluded with presenters moving to a formal signing of the bill into law.

The law takes effect according to standard legislative timelines; specific effective dates and implementation schedules were not specified during the remarks and will be determined in subsequent regulatory and administrative actions. Details about rulemaking, funding for program expansions, and exact MassHealth reimbursement mechanisms were discussed in general terms but were not specified at the event.