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Bill > S1784

NJ S1784

NJ S1784
Provides Medicaid coverage for doula care.

summary

Introduced
02/05/2018
In Committee
03/18/2019
Crossed Over
03/25/2019
Passed
03/25/2019
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/08/2019

Introduced Session

2018-2019 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill provides for the expansion of the State Medicaid program to include coverage for doula care. A doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and educational support, but not medical care, to mothers before, during, and after childbirth. Research has demonstrated that support from a doula is associated with lower caesarian section rates, fewer obstetric interventions, fewer complications, decreased use of pain medication, shorter labor hours, and higher scores on the APGAR test (which indicates how well the baby is doing outside the womb). To obtain the federal approval, the Commissioner of Human Services is to apply for such State plan amendments or waivers as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the bill and to secure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program. The bill would permit the Commissioner of Human Services to establish regulations to implement the bill, including eligibility rules and coverage limitations.

AI Summary

This bill provides for the expansion of the State Medicaid program to include coverage for doula care. Doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, emotional, and educational support, but not medical care, to mothers before, during, and after childbirth. The bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to apply for necessary State plan amendments or waivers to implement the provisions and secure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures. The Commissioner is also authorized to establish regulations, including eligibility rules and coverage limitations, to implement the bill. The bill will take effect on the first day of the seventh month following enactment, but the Commissioner may take anticipatory administrative actions in advance, such as submitting a State plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (19)

Last Action

Approved P.L.2019, c.85. (on 05/08/2019)
(2 Companion Bills)

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