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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage of doula |
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services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 32.02481 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 32.02481. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM FOR DOULA |
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SERVICES. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Doula" means a nonmedical birthing coach who |
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provides doula services and meets the qualifications for a doula as |
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determined by commission rule. |
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(2) "Doula services" means nonmedical childbirth |
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education, coaching, and support services, including emotional and |
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physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and |
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the postpartum period, or provided intermittently during pregnancy |
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and the postpartum period. |
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(b) The commission shall establish a pilot program to |
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provide medical assistance reimbursement for doula services |
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provided by a doula. The executive commissioner, in consultation |
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with the Perinatal Advisory Council established under Section |
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241.187, Health and Safety Code, by rule shall determine the |
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qualifications necessary for an individual to be considered a doula |
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and the doula services to be covered under the pilot program. |
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(c) Not later than September 1, 2022, the commission shall |
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implement the pilot program in: |
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(1) the most populous county in this state; and |
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(2) the county with the greatest maternal health |
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support needs, as determined by the county's maternal and infant |
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mortality rates and the number of births in the county by Medicaid |
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recipients. |
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(d) The commission shall prescribe eligibility requirements |
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for participation in the pilot program. |
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(e) Not later than September 1 of each year during the |
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operation of the pilot program, the commission shall prepare and |
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publish on the commission's Internet website a report evaluating: |
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(1) the total costs during the preceding year of |
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providing medical assistance reimbursement for doula services |
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under the pilot program; and |
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(2) the impact on birth outcomes for women who receive |
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doula services under the pilot program. |
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(f) Not later than September 1, 2026, the commission shall |
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prepare and submit to the legislature a written report that: |
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(1) summarizes the results of the pilot program, |
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including the effectiveness of the pilot program in reducing |
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maternal mortality rates and racial disparities in health outcomes |
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in the geographic areas of this state in which the pilot program |
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operates; |
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(2) includes feedback from participating doulas and |
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recipients who received doula services under the pilot program; and |
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(3) includes a recommendation on whether the pilot |
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program should be continued, expanded, or terminated. |
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(g) The pilot program terminates and this section expires |
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September 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 2. Notwithstanding Section 32.02481(e), Human |
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Resources Code, as added by this Act, the Health and Human Services |
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Commission shall prepare and publish the first report required by |
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that section not later than September 1, 2023. |
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SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |