HB1201 - Relating to a pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage of doula services.

      By: Manuel, Hull, Walle, Swanson, Simmons, H.B. No. 1201       et al.     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage of doula   services.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,   is amended by adding Section 32.02481 to read as follows:           Sec.   32.02481.     MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM FOR DOULA   SERVICES. (a) In this section:                 (1)     "Doula" means a nonmedical birthing coach who   provides doula services and meets the qualifications for a doula as   determined by commission rule.                 (2)     "Doula services" means nonmedical childbirth   education, coaching, and support services, including emotional and   physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and   the postpartum period, or provided intermittently during pregnancy   and the postpartum period.           (b)     The commission shall establish a pilot program to   provide medical assistance reimbursement for doula services   provided by a doula, other than services for which a doula may   enroll as a provider and receive reimbursement under Section   32.024(qq). The executive commissioner, in consultation with the   Perinatal Advisory Council established under Section 241.187,   Health and Safety Code, by rule shall determine the qualifications   necessary for an individual to be considered a doula and the doula   services to be covered under the pilot program.           (c)     Not later than September 1, 2026, the commission shall   implement the pilot program in:                 (1)  the most populous county in this state; and                 (2)     the county with the greatest maternal health   support needs, as determined by the county's maternal and infant   mortality rates and the number of births in the county by Medicaid   recipients.           (d)     The commission shall prescribe eligibility requirements   for participation in the pilot program.           (e)     Not later than September 1 of each year during the   operation of the pilot program, the commission shall prepare and   publish on the commission's Internet website a report evaluating:                 (1)     the total costs during the preceding year of   providing medical assistance reimbursement for doula services   under the pilot program; and                 (2)     the impact on birth outcomes for women who receive   doula services under the pilot program.           (f)     Not later than September 1, 2030, the commission shall   prepare and submit to the legislature a written report that:                 (1)     summarizes the results of the pilot program,   including the effectiveness of the pilot program in reducing   maternal mortality rates and disparities in health outcomes in the   geographic areas of this state in which the pilot program operates;                 (2)     includes feedback from participating doulas and   recipients who received doula services under the pilot program; and                 (3)     includes a recommendation on whether the pilot   program should be continued, expanded, or terminated.           (g)     The pilot program terminates and this section expires   September 1, 2031.          SECTION 2.  Notwithstanding Section 32.02481(e), Human   Resources Code, as added by this Act, the Health and Human Services   Commission shall prepare and publish the first report required by   that section not later than September 1, 2027.          SECTION 3.  If before implementing any provision of this Act   a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a   federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,   the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or   authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the   waiver or authorization is granted.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.