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2020 Session

Budget Amendments - HB30 (Conference Report)

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Workgroup on Medicaid Doula Coverage (language only)

Item 291 #1c

Item 291 #1c

Health and Human Resources
Secretary of Health and Human Resources

Language

Page 274, after line 38, insert:

"E. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall convene a workgroup to review and make recommendations regarding the state regulation of doulas and establishing a community doula benefit for pregnant women covered by Medicaid. The workgroup shall include representatives from the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Department of Health Professions, as well as representatives from community doula practitioners, stakeholder groups, and community organizations. The workgroup shall examine and report on the (i) federal requirements and permissibility associated with providing a Medicaid doula benefit; (ii) impact that state regulation would have on doula practitioners; (iii) a review of strategies other states have implemented;  (iv) an analysis of the appropriate rates for such a benefit; and (v) the estimated costs and potential savings to the state and practitioners over the next six years. The workgroup shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees by December 1, 2020."



Explanation

(This amendment establishes a workgroup to consider adding Medicaid coverage of doulas that was included in House Bill 29 and Senate Bill 29, as introduced, that expires on June 30, 2020. This amendment to the introduced budget which takes effect July 1, 2020, establishes the workgroup to allow an adequate period of time to consider the requirements of the language and report back any recommendations.)