2026 -- S 2669

========

LC005520

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

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:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     40-8-33. Certified professional midwife -- Medicaid coverage.

     (a) As used in this section, "certified professional midwife" or "CPM" means a trained

professional who has successfully completed an accredited educational program in midwifery,

holds a current certification as a certified professional midwife by the North American registry of

midwives (NARM), and is licensed to practice midwifery in accordance with § 23-13-9.

     (b) The executive office of health and human services ("EOHHS") shall provide coverage

under the Medicaid program for services provided by a licensed certified professional midwife,

when such services are within the certified professional midwife’s lawful scope of practice and are

otherwise eligible for coverage under the Medicaid state plan or a waiver approved by the Centers

for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

     (c) Reimbursement for services provided by a licensed certified professional midwife shall

be made in accordance with Medicaid reimbursement principles and methodologies applicable to

other maternity care providers for comparable services. No requirement for physician supervision,

signature, or referral shall be imposed unless such requirement is imposed on other providers for

the same service.

     (d) The EOHHS shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this

section, including credentialing and enrollment requirements for certified professional midwives

participating as Medicaid providers.

     (e) On or before July 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, the EOHHS shall collect and

maintain data on utilization and expenditures related to services provided by certified professional

midwives to Medicaid beneficiaries.

     (f) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified,

the provisions of this section shall supersede and shall control over any conflicting or inconsistent

laws, including general laws, special laws, or local laws, or any rule or regulation of the state.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005520

========

LC005520 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

***

     This act would require 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. The executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) would

have the authority to submit an amendment to the state plan or seek a waiver to provide this

coverage.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005520

========

LC005520 - Page 3 of 3