BOSTON — The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a comprehensive maternal health bill that was supported by the Lynn delegation.
A press release from state Rep. Dan Cahill’s office said Bill H.4773 would create a state licensure pathway for midwives and lactation consultants, and encourage the creation of more freestanding birth centers. The bill would also mandate that certain health-care professionals perform and health insurers provide coverage for postpartum depression screenings.
“Access to quality maternity health-care options is critical to ensuring the safety and well-being of patients and infants,” Cahill said. “Especially in cities like Lynn, where some of the highest infant mortality rates exist, which have an immeasurable mental and physical impact on our community.”
The legislation would create a state license that midwives must receive in order to practice, and would require certain insurance providers to cover midwifery services, including prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum care.
The bill would create the Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to license and provide oversight of licensed midwives. Licensed midwives would be required to coordinate emergency care if needed and would also be able to issue prescriptions for certain drugs, following regulations to be determined by the board and DPH.
“Among the most personal of decisions is where and with whose assistance to give birth to another human being. This bill opens the door to a greater use of midwives by finally providing them with a path to licensure and critical MassHealth coverage for their services,” state Rep. Jenny Armini said. “It also shatters the deafening and debilitating silence around postpartum depression. I am so proud to have supported this major step forward for Massachusetts families.”
The press release added that the bill would require MassHealth to cover noninvasive prenatal screenings to detect whether a pregnancy is at increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities for all pregnant patients.
The bill would also authorize the Board of Allied Health Professionals to license lactation consultants to ensure their services are eligible for reimbursement through the patient’s insurance to better support new mothers.
“I am grateful to see the passage of this bill, which is a crucial step towards improving maternal health outcomes and ensuring that all families receive the care they deserve,” state Rep. Peter Capano said. “This legislation is another step forward in addressing health inequities and increasing access to quality health care across the Commonwealth.”
Other sections of the bill would create a public awareness campaign through the DPH about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and develop a digital resource center for the public.
The bill also includes, via an amendment, a provision that would allow Massachusetts residents to use earned paid sick time in the event of a pregnancy loss.
The bill passed by a vote of 153-0 in the House, and will now go to the Senate for consideration.
According to House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, this is the fourth significant health-care bill the House has passed this session.
