The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6934, aims to expand Medicaid coverage to include services provided by licensed lactation consultants certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. The bill modifies subsection (a) of section 17b-277d of the general statutes, which is set to be repealed and replaced with new provisions effective July 1, 2025. The new language allows the Commissioner of Social Services to implement a bundled payment system for maternity services that encompasses payments to lactation consultants, doulas, and other nonlicensed practitioners. This initiative is designed to enhance health quality, equity, member experience, cost containment, and coordination of care.

In addition to the inclusion of lactation consultants, the bill emphasizes the importance of consulting with healthcare providers, consumer advocates, and other stakeholders before implementing the bundled payment system. The overarching goal of this legislation is to reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization and costs while ensuring access to essential services and improving health outcomes for Medicaid recipients.