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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to Medicaid coverage and reimbursement of doula 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 REIMBURSEMENT FOR DOULA |
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SERVICES. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Doula" means a nonmedical birthing professional |
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who provides doula services. |
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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) In addition to reimbursement a doula may receive under |
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Section 32.024(qq) for case management services, the commission |
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shall ensure that medical assistance reimbursement is provided for |
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doula services provided by a doula to a medical assistance |
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recipient. |
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SECTION 2. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective |
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date of this Act but not later than October 1, 2026, the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall seek |
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from the appropriate federal agency an amendment to the state |
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Medicaid plan to implement Section 32.02481, Human Resources Code, |
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as added by this Act. |
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(b) In developing the amendment to the state Medicaid plan |
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described by Subsection (a) of this section, the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
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consult with individuals who represent interested stakeholders, |
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including medical assistance recipients, doulas, physicians, |
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nurses, and health care facilities in the state. |
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(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) of this section, if |
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before implementing any provision of this Act the Health and Human |
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Services Commission or other state agency determines that a waiver |
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from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that |
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provision, the agency shall request the waiver and may delay |
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implementing that provision until the waiver is granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |