Bill > S784

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework to support midwifery and birth centers in Massachusetts through several key provisions. First, the bill creates a Midwifery Workforce Development Fund to provide financial assistance for midwifery students, including tuition support, licensing fees, stipends, and loan forgiveness programs, with a focus on supporting education and retention of midwives in underserved areas. The bill requires insurance providers, including the state group insurance commission and various health plans, to reimburse certified nurse-midwives and licensed certified professional midwives at rates equal to those paid to physicians for the same services. Additionally, the legislation mandates that freestanding birth centers receive payment rates comparable to hospital services, including a negotiated facility fee. The bill also directs the Department of Public Health to establish specific licensing requirements for birth centers within 12 months, develop guidelines in consultation with midwifery and birth center experts, and waive plan review fees for centers experiencing financial hardship. Furthermore, the bill requires the creation of a Community Birth Data Registry to collect and analyze data on births occurring outside hospitals, with strict protections for individual privacy and confidentiality. An advisory committee will be established to oversee the fund and provide recommendations, ensuring a collaborative approach to supporting midwifery and birth center sustainability in Massachusetts.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S784