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Maternal Health
Status
Signed Into Law
An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options
This legislation works to address negative perinatal health outcomes that disproportionately impact Black women in the Commonwealth.
Highlights
- Creates the Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health (DPH) to license and provide oversight of licensed certified professional midwives
- Requires certain insurance providers to cover doula and midwifery services.
- Requires that perinatal individuals be offered a screening for postpartum depression and major depressive disorder, and that those services be covered by insurance.
- Ensures that the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee will have access to essential records required to conduct thorough and timely reviews of maternal deaths and pregnancy complications.
- To better address barriers in access to care and reduce racial inequities in maternal health, the bill expands the universal postpartum home visiting program administered by DPH and provides coverage for the program’s services.
"It is with immense gratitude that we get to revel in this moment of progress, celebrating the Senate’s monumental commitment to improving the quality of life, maternal and mental health care for our most at-risk constituents"
- Senator Liz Miranda (D-Boston)
- Senator Liz Miranda (D-Boston)
