H1117 — An Act promoting and enhancing the sustainability of birth centers and the midwifery workforce

Summary

An Act promoting and enhancing the sustainability of birth centers and the midwifery workforce

Bill Text

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• Section 35UUU

  There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund known as the Midwifery Workforce Development Fund.

  Establishes the Midwifery Workforce Development Fund.

• Section 35UUU

  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.

  Assigns administration of the fund to the secretary of health and human services and allows delegation to an organization representing certified professional midwives.

• Section 35UUU

  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.

  Specifies sources of revenue for the Midwifery Workforce Development Fund.

• Section 35UUU

  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.

  Ensures that unspent funds do not revert to the General Fund and can be used in future fiscal years.

• Section 35UUU

  Expenditures from the fund shall be used for: (i) providing assistance to students in education and training programs to qualify them to become licensed certified professional midwives; (ii) a student loan forgiveness program for certified professional midwives and certified nurse midwives; (iii) a grant program to fund local initiatives supporting the development of educational programs for certified professional midwives; (iv) retention of practicing midwives, and mental health and psychosocial support for certified professional midwives and certified nurse midwives; (v) with the approval of the advisory committee, other purposes consistent with the goals of the fund.

  Defines the purposes for which the fund can be used.

• Section 35UUU

  Annually, not later than December 1, the secretary of health and human services shall report on the activities of the fund to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities.

  Requires an annual report on the fund's activities.

• Section 17X

  The commission shall ensure that the rate of payment for services provided to an active or retired employee of the commonwealth who is insured under the group insurance commission that are rendered by a certified nurse-midwife authorized to engage in the practice of nurse-midwifery by the board of registration in nursing pursuant to section 80C of chapter 112 that is within the scope of the certified nurse-midwife's authorization to practice shall be no less than the payment rate for the same service if performed by a physician, regardless of the site of services, or length of stay.

  Mandates equal payment rates for certified nurse-midwives compared to physicians.

• Section 17Y

  The commission shall ensure that the rate of payment for services provided to an active or retired employee of the commonwealth who is insured under the group insurance commission that are rendered by or within a licensed freestanding birth center regulated under section 51M of chapter 111, including newborn care and care provided prior to an intrapartum transfer to another facility, shall be no less than the payment rate for the same services if performed at a hospital, regardless of the site of services, or length of stay.

  Ensures payment parity for services rendered by licensed freestanding birth centers compared to hospitals.

• Section 8AAA

  A contract between a subscriber and the corporation under an individual or group hospital service plan that is delivered, issued or renewed within or without the commonwealth shall provide that the rate of payment for services rendered by a certified nurse-midwife authorized to engage in the practice of nurse-midwifery by the board of registration in nursing pursuant to section 80C of chapter 112 that is within the scope of the certified nurse-midwife's authorization to practice shall be no less than the payment rate for the same service if performed by a physician, regardless of the site of services.

  Requires that insurance policies cover services by certified nurse-midwives at the same rate as physicians.

Sponsors

• Manny Cruz · Primary

Subjects