{"id":2325919,"date":"2024-08-17T11:42:10","date_gmt":"2024-08-17T15:42:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/massachusetts-governor-pledges-to-sign-sweeping-maternal-health-bill-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-17T11:54:27","modified_gmt":"2024-08-17T15:54:27","slug":"massachusetts-governor-pledges-to-sign-sweeping-maternal-health-bill-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/massachusetts-governor-pledges-to-sign-sweeping-maternal-health-bill-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts governor pledges to sign sweeping maternal health bill &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmassachusetts-governor-pledges-to-sign-sweeping-maternal-health-bill-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2325919&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Massachusetts governor, Maura Healey, \u200cis set to sign a comprehensive \u200bmaternal health\u2063 bill\u2064 that has recently passed through both legislative chambers. The proposal \u200daims to enhance maternal \u200dcare\u2064 by establishing licensing pathways for midwives and lactation \u2062consultants, promoting the \u2064development of more freestanding birth centers,\u2062 and creating a grant\u2063 program to support maternal \u2063mental\u2064 health and \u2062substance use treatment. <\/p>\n<p>Key features of the \u200clegislation include \u2064expanding the statewide universal postpartum \u2062home visiting program\u200b and \u2064<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doctors-biden-administrations-dangerous-push-for-trans-treatments-for-kids-falsifies-science\/\" title=\"Doctors: Biden Administration\u2019s Dangerous Push For Trans Treatments For Kids Falsifies Science\">mandating insurance coverage<\/a> for\u2063 screenings related to postpartum depression and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-i-exercise-real-people-discuss-what-keeps-them-going\/\" title=\"Why I Exercise: Real People Discuss What Keeps Them Going\">major depressive disorder<\/a> in perinatal individuals. State Rep. Marjorie Decker emphasized\u2063 that the bill is designed to save \u2064lives and improve reproductive health access for\u200d families\u200d in Massachusetts. <\/p>\n<p>The legislation also introduces a license\u2062 for certified professional midwives and requires \u2063insurance providers like MassHealth to cover midwifery services throughout\u200b prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care. Additionally, \u200cit\u200b establishes a Board of Registration in Midwifery for oversight of midwives. The bill further mandates health officials to conduct public awareness \u200dcampaigns regarding perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and to create \u2063an accessible digital resource for pertinent information. the bill aims to provide safer and more equitable \u200bmaternal\u200d care options in the state.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Massachusetts governor pledges to sign sweeping maternal health bill<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1732423\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>BOSTON (AP) &mdash;<\/strong> A sweeping maternal health bill has cleared both legislative chambers and is awaiting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Massachusetts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Massachusetts<\/a> Gov. Maura Healey&rsquo;s signature.<\/p>\n<p>The bill would create a pathway for midwives and lactation consultants to obtain licenses, encourage the creation of more freestanding birth centers, and establish a grant program to address maternal mental health and substance use disorder.<\/p>\n<p>The legislation would also expand the statewide universal postpartum home visiting program and mandate that insurers provide coverage for postpartum depression and major depressive disorder screenings for perinatal individuals.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This maternal health bill will save lives for all birthing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/family\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>families<\/a> in Massachusetts,&rdquo; said Democratic state Rep. Marjorie Decker, one of the supporters of the bill.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I am so proud that we continue to lead the nation in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wyoming-college-student-sentenced-to-five-years-in-prison-after-setting-fire-to-full-service-abortion-clinic\/\" title=\"Wyoming student jailed for arson at abortion clinic.\">safeguarding reproductive health<\/a> and honoring birthing autonomy by allowing more birthing options, expanding equitable access to midwifery care and postpartum support, and providing better <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>insurance<\/a> coverage for perinatal individuals,&rdquo; she added.<\/p>\n<p>The legislation would create a state license that certified professional midwives must receive in order to practice midwifery, and require certain insurance providers, such as MassHealth, to cover doula and midwifery services including prenatal care, childbirth and postpartum care.<\/p>\n<p>The bill would also create the Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to license and provide oversight of licensed certified professional midwives.<\/p>\n<p>Licensed certified professional midwives would be required to coordinate emergency care if needed and would also be able to issue prescriptions for certain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/drugs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>drugs<\/a>, under regulations to be promulgated by the board and DPH.<\/p>\n<p>To encourage the creation of more freestanding birth centers, which operate independent from hospital systems, the bill would require DPH to draft updated regulations governing the licensure of freestanding birth centers to ensure safe and accessible birth options.<\/p>\n<p>The legislation would also require <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/newsom-extends-southern-california-stay-at-home-order-for-at-least-another-three-weeks\/\" title=\"Newsom Extends Southern California Stay-at-Home Order For at Least Another Three Weeks\">state health officials<\/a> to conduct a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/facebooks-political-ad-ban-is-blocking-vaccine-information\/\" title=\"Facebook\u2019s Political Ad Ban Is Blocking Vaccine Information\">public awareness campaign<\/a> about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and to develop a digital resource center available to the public. It would also require that perinatal individuals be offered a screening for postpartum depression and major depressive disorder, and that those services be covered by health insurance plans.<\/p>\n<p>To better address barriers in access to care and reduce racial inequities in maternal health, the bill would also expand the universal postpartum home visiting program administered by state health officials and provide coverage for the program&rsquo;s services.<\/p>\n<p>A 2023 Massachusetts Department of Public Health report showed that maternal morbidity nearly doubled in the state from 2011 to 2020. Black women were 2.3 times more likely than white <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/women\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>women<\/a> to experience labor and delivery complications.<\/p>\n<p>Under the bill, health insurers would also be required to provide coverage for medically necessary pasteurized donor human milk and products derived from it, serving as a critical source of nutrition for the growth and development of babies, particularly for vulnerable premature infants.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Healey indicated support for the bill when asked Friday<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Of course I&rsquo;m going to sign it,&rdquo; Healey said.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1732423\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1732423\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has committed to signing a comprehensive maternal health bill that has passed both legislative chambers. This legislation aims to provide a licensing pathway for midwives and lactation consultants, promote the establishment of additional freestanding birth centers, and introduce a grant program focused on maternal mental health and substance use disorders. Additionally, it seeks to expand the state&#8217;s universal postpartum home visiting program and require insurance coverage for screenings related to postpartum depression and major depressive disorder for perinatal individuals. <\/p>\n<p>Democratic state Representative Marjorie Decker, a supporter of the bill, stated that it will significantly benefit birthing families in Massachusetts by enhancing reproductive health protections, increasing access to midwifery care and postpartum support, and improving insurance coverage for perinatal individuals. The proposed law would establish a state license for certified professional midwives (CPMs) to practice legally while mandating certain insurers like MassHealth to cover doula services as well as prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the legislation would create a Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health (DPH) responsible for licensing CPMs and overseeing their practices. Licensed CPMs would be required to coordinate emergency care when necessary and could prescribe specific medications under regulations set by DPH.<\/p>\n<p>To facilitate more freestanding birth centers\u2014independent from hospital systems\u2014the bill mandates DPH update its regulations governing their licensure. It also calls for public awareness campaigns about perinatal mood disorders along with developing an accessible digital resource center.<\/p>\n<p>The legislation addresses disparities in maternal healthcare access by expanding the universal postpartum home visiting program while ensuring these services are covered by insurance plans. A report from 2023 highlighted that maternal morbidity rates nearly doubled in Massachusetts between 2011-2020; Black women faced significantly higher risks during labor compared to white women.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, insurers will be required under this bill to cover medically necessary pasteurized donor human milk\u2014a vital nutritional source especially beneficial for premature infants. When asked about her stance on the bill last Friday, Healey expressed her intention clearly: &#8220;Of course I\u2019m going to sign it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2634,"featured_media":2325920,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/maura-healey.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4173,4606,4762,5610,38380],"class_list":["post-2325919","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-governor","tag-healthcare","tag-legislation","tag-massachusetts","tag-maternal-health"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/maura-healey.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2325919","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2634"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2325919"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2325919\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2325920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2325919"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2325919"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2325919"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}