HB263: HB263 Medical assistance; pilot program to provide coverage under Medicaid program for doula care for pregnant Medicaid recipients; provide

Georgia's Medicaid program currently does not pay for doula care, the support services doulas provide before, during, and after childbirth. This bill would add a new section to Georgia law directing the Department of Community Health to set up a pilot program covering up to five doula visits per pregnant Medicaid recipient, covering prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. Doulas taking part would need training approved by the department. By December 31, 2027, the department must send a report on the program's results, including health outcomes and recommendations on paying doulas and possibly expanding the program statewide, to the Governor and several legislative committees. The pilot would automatically end and the law would be repealed on January 1, 2028. Importantly, the bill only takes effect if the General Assembly separately approves specific funding for it in a state budget bill.

• Directs the Department of Community Health to create a pilot program covering Medicaid reimbursement for doula care during pregnancy.
• Limits coverage to up to five doula visits per pregnant Medicaid recipient, covering prenatal, delivery, and postpartum periods.
• Requires doulas in the program to complete training approved by the department before participating.
• Requires a written report to state leaders and legislative committees by December 31, 2027 on outcomes and reimbursement recommendations.
• Automatically ends the pilot program and repeals the new law on January 1, 2028.
• Makes the entire Act contingent on the General Assembly passing a specific funding line item for it.

Pregnant women enrolled in Georgia Medicaid, doulas seeking Medicaid reimbursement and training approval, the Department of Community Health, and state legislative committees overseeing health and appropriations that would receive the required 2027 report.

If funded, Medicaid recipients could get paid doula support during pregnancy and childbirth for the first time, potentially affecting maternal health outcomes. Because the law only takes effect with a specific budget appropriation, its real-world impact depends entirely on future funding decisions by the legislature.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 49-4-159.5 creating the doula pilot program under Medicaid, covering up to five visits per recipient.
• Subsection (b) requires participating doulas to complete training determined by the Department of Community Health.
• Subsection (c) requires a detailed report by December 31, 2027 to the Governor, legislative leaders, and health and appropriations committees, including health outcomes and reimbursement recommendations.
• Subsection (d) sets the pilot program and the Code section to terminate and be repealed by operation of law on January 1, 2028.
• Section 2 makes the entire Act effective only if the General Assembly enacts a specific funding appropriation for it.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-02-06House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-05House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-04House Hopper (House)

• Karen Bennett (D, HD-094)Primary sponsor
• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)
• Mekyah McQueen (D, HD-061)
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Park Cannon (D, HD-058)
• Stacey Evans (D, HD-057)

• Medicaid
• doula care
• maternal health
• pregnancy coverage
• state budget