Legislative Action
Current Legislative Action
An Act to Increase Access to Nurse-Midwifery Services
Synopsis –
Passage of this bill would require 100% reimbursement parity to the physician rate for services provided by CNMs:
The commission shall provide to any active or retired employee of the commonwealth insured under the group insurance commission coverage for services rendered by a certified nurse midwife designated to engage in the practice of nurse-midwifery by the board of registration in nursing pursuant to section 80C of chapter 112, and the payment rate for a service provided by a certified nurse-midwife that is within the scope of the certified nurse-midwife’s authorization to practice shall be equal to the payment rate for the same service if performed by a physician.
Follow the status of this bill here:
MA House of Representatives https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1127
MA Senate https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S697
An Act Promoting and Enhancing the Sustainability of
Birth Centers and the Midwifery Workforce
Synopsis –
Passage of this bill would require establishment of a separate fund for midwifery workforce development in the Commonwealth
(a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund known as the Midwifery Workforce Development Fund. The fund shall be administered by the secretary of the executive office of health and human services in consultation with the advisory committee established pursuant to subsection (d); provided, that the secretary may delegate administration of part or all of the fund to an organization representing certified professional midwives. There shall be credited to the fund: (i) revenue from appropriations or other money authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (ii) federal grants and other federal funds designated for maternal health; (iii) interest earned on such revenues; and (iv) all other funds from public and private sources credited or transferred into the fund, including gifts, public or private grants, settlements and donations. Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund and shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. No expenditure made from the fund shall cause the fund to become deficient at any point. Any fiscal year-end balance in the fund that is subject to appropriation shall not be subject to section 5C of chapter 29. The fund shall not be subject to appropriation.
Follow the status of this bill here:
MA House of Representatives https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1117
MA Senate https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S784
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Professional photo credit: Stefanie Belnavis @birthlooms
Prior Legislative Success
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Massachusetts Midwives joined Governor Healey on the Grand Staircase of the State House as she signed the Massachusetts Maternal Health Omnibus bill into law.
Massachusetts passed a trailblazing Maternal Health Omnibus bill into law on August 26, 2024. The heart of this bill is reproductive justice and increased access to midwives through:
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Fair reimbursement for Certified Nurse Midwives (who work in hospitals, clinics, birth centers and home birth) through MassHealth
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Licensure of Certified Professional Midwives, experts in out-of-hospital birth (homebirth and birth centers)
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Updated birth center regulations through the Department of Public Health that remove unnecessary barriers to opening and thriving
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Additional provisions around perinatal mental health, doulas, postpartum home visiting and more. Read the full bill HERE.
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What does this legislation mean for people seeking pregnancy and reproductive care?
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People will be able to access perinatal health care at home, in birth centers and in hospitals and have that care paid for by insurance
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People will know that the provider attending their birth is licensed, has access to essential medications to keep them and their baby safe, and has a seamless transfer plan if there is any complication
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This bill will help take Massachusetts from only ONE birth center to hopefully birth centers throughout every community
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What does this legislation mean for CNMs?
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For Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), they will now be reimbursed through MassHealth at 100% the physician rate for the same service – including GYN and family planning care
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CNMs can, for the first time, serve as Clinical Directors of Birth Centers
Published Coverage:
Mass. House approves sweeping maternal health bill, could overhaul midwifery and birth centers | GBH
MA ACNM Contributions to Important State Level Midwifery Reports:
MA Racial Inequities in Maternal Health Commission Final Report, 2022
Racial Inequities in Maternal Health
Health Care Policy Commission Report, 2021
CHIA [Center for Health Information Analysis] Report
Data Matters - March 2022 Edition
Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Public Health, Review of Maternal Health Services, 2024