H 8174

2026 -- H 8174
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 LC005521
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  STATE  OF        RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
  ____________
  AN ACT
  RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
  Introduced By: Representatives Stewart, Tanzi, Voas, Giraldo, Furtado, Alzate, Cruz,
  Casimiro, Edwards, and Diaz
  Date Introduced: February 27, 2026
  Referred To: House Finance
 It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1SECTION 1. Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance" is hereby
2 amended by adding thereto the following section:
340-8-33. Certified professional midwife -- Medicaid coverage.
4(a) As used in this section, "certified professional midwife" or "CPM" means a trained
5 professional who has successfully completed an accredited educational program in midwifery,
6 holds a current certification as a certified professional midwife by the North American registry of
7 midwives (NARM), and is licensed to practice midwifery in accordance with § 23-13-9.
8(b) The executive office of health and human services ("EOHHS") shall provide coverage
9 under the Medicaid program for services provided by a licensed certified professional midwife,
10 when such services are within the certified professional midwife’s lawful scope of practice and are
11 otherwise eligible for coverage under the Medicaid state plan or a waiver approved by the Centers
12 for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
13(c) Reimbursement for services provided by a licensed certified professional midwife shall
14 be made in accordance with Medicaid reimbursement principles and methodologies applicable to
15 other maternity care providers for comparable services. No requirement for physician supervision,
16 signature, or referral shall be imposed unless such requirement is imposed on other providers for
17 the same service.
18(d) The EOHHS shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this
19 section, including credentialing and enrollment requirements for certified professional midwives
1 participating as Medicaid providers.
2(e) On or before July 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, the EOHHS shall collect and
3 maintain data on utilization and expenditures related to services provided by certified professional
4 midwives to Medicaid beneficiaries.
5(f) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified,
6 the provisions of this section shall supersede and shall control over any conflicting or inconsistent
7 laws, including general laws, special laws, or local laws, or any rule or regulation of the state.
8SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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  EXPLANATION
  BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
  OF
  AN ACT
  RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
  ***
1This act would require Rhode Island Medicaid to cover services provided by licensed
2 certified professional midwives and to collect utilization and cost data, while allowing limits
3 consistent with Medicaid rules. The executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) would
4 have the authority to submit an amendment to the state plan or seek a waiver to provide this
5 coverage.
6This act would take effect upon passage.
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