AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (Requires Rhode Island Medicaid to cover services provided by licensed certified professional midwives and to collect utilization and cost data, while allowing limits consistent with Medicaid rules.)

S2669

2026 -- S 2669
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LC005520
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Introduced By:
Senators Mack, Quezada, DiMario, Gu, Murray, Lauria, Ujifusa,
Valverde, and de la Cruz

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following section:
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40-8-33. Certified professional midwife -- Medicaid coverage.

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(a) As used in this section, "certified professional midwife" or "CPM" means a trained
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professional who has successfully completed an accredited educational program in midwifery,
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holds a current certification as a certified professional midwife by the North American registry of
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midwives (NARM), and is licensed to practice midwifery in accordance with § 23-13-9.
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(b) The executive office of health and human services ("EOHHS") shall provide coverage
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under the Medicaid program for services provided by a licensed certified professional midwife,
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when such services are within the certified professional midwife’s lawful scope of practice and are
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otherwise eligible for coverage under the Medicaid state plan or a waiver approved by the Centers
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for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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(c) Reimbursement for services provided by a licensed certified professional midwife shall
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be made in accordance with Medicaid reimbursement principles and methodologies applicable to
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other maternity care providers for comparable services. No requirement for physician supervision,
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signature, or referral shall be imposed unless such requirement is imposed on other providers for
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the same service.
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(d) The EOHHS shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this
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section, including credentialing and enrollment requirements for certified professional midwives

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participating as Medicaid providers.
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(e) On or before July 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, the EOHHS shall collect and
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maintain data on utilization and expenditures related to services provided by certified professional
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midwives to Medicaid beneficiaries.
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(f) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified,
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the provisions of this section shall supersede and shall control over any conflicting or inconsistent
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laws, including general laws, special laws, or local laws, or any rule or regulation of the state.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
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This act would require Rhode Island Medicaid to cover services provided by licensed
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certified professional midwives and to collect utilization and cost data, while allowing limits
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consistent with Medicaid rules. The executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) would
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have the authority to submit an amendment to the state plan or seek a waiver to provide this
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coverage.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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