TITLE: Relating to Medicaid coverage of doula services.

SUMMARY: Relating to Medicaid coverage of doula services.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to Medicaid coverage of doula services. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Subsection (nn) to read as follows: (nn) The commission shall provide medical assistance reimbursement for services provided by a doula, including childbirth education and emotional and physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. The executive commissioner by rule shall determine the doula services to be covered and any doula certification requirements. SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2019, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement Section 32.024(nn), Human Resources Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that an additional waiver or additional 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, 2019.