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April 14, 2026 Clouds | 60°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bill S.697 194th (Current)

An Act to increase access to nurse-midwifery services

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 697) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation relative to insurance coverage and access to nurse-midwifery services. Financial Services.

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Bill Information

Presenter:
Brendan P. Crighton
Status:
Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means
Section 1: Amends chapter of the MGL governing GIC insurance for commonwealth employees by adding coverage for services from certified nurse midwives. Some additional requirements added to ensure quality and affordability of services. Requires that insurers cannot reduce payment to physicians to achieve these requirements. Section 2: Amends chapter of the MGL governing midwife benefits covered by insurance to require that midwives are paid the same as a licenses physician offering the same services. Requires that insurers cannot reduce payment to physicians to achieve this requirement. Section 3: Amends chapter of the MGL governing non-profit hospital service corporations to require that these hospitals must offer midwife services to all patients who live or primarily work in Massachusetts. Some additional requirements added to ensure quality and affordability of services. Requires that insurers cannot reduce payment to physicians to achieve these requirements. Section 4: Amends chapter of the MGL governing midwife benefits covered by medical service corporations to require that midwives are paid the same as a licenses physician offering the same services. Requires that insurers cannot reduce payment to physicians to achieve this requirement. Section 5: Amends chapter of the MGL governing HMO’s to require that midwife services are covered under health maintenance contracts. Some additional requirements added to ensure quality and affordability of services. Requires that insurers cannot reduce payment to physicians to achieve these requirements.
* The bill summary was created by the Primary Sponsor of the bill; no committee of the General Court certifies the accuracy of its contents.

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