HB 1264: Medical assistance; pilot program to provide coverage under Medicaid program for doula care for pregnant Medicaid recipients; provide

Georgia's Medicaid program does not currently pay for doula care, the support some pregnant people get from trained non-medical companions before, during, and after childbirth. This bill would add a new section to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 49-4-159.5) directing the Department of Community Health to build a pilot program that reimburses doula care for pregnant Medicaid recipients, covering up to five visits covering prepartum, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. Doulas would need training approved by the department to take part. By December 31, 2028, the department must send a detailed report on the program's results, including health outcomes and recommendations on paying doulas and expanding the program statewide, to the Governor and several legislative leaders and committees. The pilot would automatically end and the law would repeal itself on January 1, 2029. The whole Act only takes effect if the General Assembly passes a specific budget line item funding it.

• Directs the Department of Community Health to create a Medicaid pilot program covering doula care for pregnant recipients.
• Caps reimbursement at up to five doula visits per pregnant Medicaid recipient, covering prepartum, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.
• 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, 2028 on outcomes and statewide expansion.
• Sets the pilot program and the new Code section to automatically terminate and repeal on January 1, 2029.
• Makes the entire Act contingent on the General Assembly passing a specific budget appropriation funding it.

Pregnant Georgians enrolled in Medicaid, doulas seeking Medicaid reimbursement and needing department-approved training, and the Department of Community Health, which must design, run, and report on the pilot program.

If funded, pregnant Medicaid recipients could get paid doula support during pregnancy, birth, and after delivery, which could affect maternal health outcomes. Because the bill only takes effect if the legislature appropriates specific money for it, whether it actually happens depends on a future budget decision.

• Section 1 adds O.C.G.A. § 49-4-159.5, creating the pilot program and capping coverage at five doula visits per pregnant Medicaid recipient.
• Subsection (b) requires all participating doulas to complete training approved by the Department of Community Health.
• Subsection (c) requires a detailed report by December 31, 2028 to the Governor, legislative leaders, and named House and Senate committees on health outcomes and reimbursement recommendations.
• Subsection (d) terminates the pilot program and repeals the Code section by operation of law on January 1, 2029.
• Section 2 makes the entire Act effective only if a General Appropriations Act includes a specific line item funding it.
• Section 3 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-02-12House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-11House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-10House Hopper (House)

• Debra Bazemore (D, HD-069)Primary sponsor
• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)
• Mekyah McQueen (D, HD-061)
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Park Cannon (D, HD-058)

• Medicaid
• maternal health
• doula care
• pregnancy coverage
• health policy