Bill > SB1568

This bill aims to expand and clarify access to perinatal services, specifically focusing on doulas and lactation counselors, for individuals receiving medical assistance and those with health insurance. It updates regulations for traditional health workers, ensuring distinct qualification criteria for birth and postpartum doulas, and mandates that the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) establish these criteria by January 1, 2028. The bill also modifies requirements for coordinated care organizations (CCOs) and health benefit plans to ensure access to doula services, including a minimum of 12 visits or 24 hours of service, and removes the need for referrals or prior authorization for these services, except for additional hours based on need. Furthermore, it establishes a voluntary registration process for lactation counselors, requiring continuing education and standards of practice, and ensures access to lactation counselor services without a referral. The bill also amends provisions related to grants for community-based perinatal services to include lactation counselors and requires health benefit plans to provide coverage for lactation counselor services, with specific guidelines on benefit amounts and coverage limitations. Finally, it creates the Oregon Perinatal Collaborative within the Oregon Health and Science University to coordinate quality improvement efforts and develop policy recommendations for maternal and infant health, and declares an emergency, allowing the act to take effect immediately upon passage.