LAW WITHOUT
GOVERNOR'S CHAPTER
SIGNATURE
89
JUNE 19, 2025 RESOLVES
STATE OF MAINE
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IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE
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H.P. 1008 - L.D. 1523
Resolve, to Develop MaineCare Coverage for Doula Services
Sec. 1. Rate determination for doula services. Resolved: That, no later than
January 1, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services shall initiate a rate
determination process according to the requirements of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title
22, section 3173-J for the provision of doula services under the MaineCare program with a
planned start for reimbursement, subject to sufficient appropriations from the Legislature,
of January 1, 2028. For the purposes of this resolve, "doula services" means the provision
of services to a person by a nonclinical professional related to the physical, emotional and
informational support of that person throughout pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum
period, including, but not limited to, guidance and support concerning pregnancy health,
childbirth, infant feeding and newborn care.
Sec. 2. Doula council. Resolved: That the department shall establish a
multidisciplinary statewide doula council to provide advice and make recommendations to
the department regarding doula services, including consulting in the rate determination
process pursuant to section 1. The doula council must include practicing doulas. The doula
council must provide advice to the department on topics, including, but not limited to, the
scope of doula services that could become eligible for reimbursement under the MaineCare
program, appropriate credentials for doulas, strategies for recruiting a diverse workforce of
doulas to provide services in the State, reimbursement and billing issues and outreach to
the public about how to access doula services.
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the department shall submit a report, no later than
February 1, 2027, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction
over health and human services matters with the department's progress on developing rates
under section 1 and recommendations for reimbursement for doula services under the
MaineCare program pursuant to section 2. The report must include recommendations on
the appropriateness of MaineCare reimbursement for doula services, a timeline for
implementation of rates and state plan amendments, the necessary budget requests to fund
the provision of doula services under the MaineCare program and a permanent structure
for a doula council. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction
over health and human services matters is authorized to report out legislation to the 133rd
Legislature in 2027.
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