HB1264: HB1264 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 support during pregnancy, labor, or after birth. This bill would direct the Department of Community Health to set up a pilot program covering up to five doula visits per pregnant Medicaid recipient, covering prepartum, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. Doulas taking part would need training approved by the department. By December 31, 2028, the department must send a report to top state officials and legislative committees on the program's health outcomes, reimbursement practices, and whether it should expand statewide. The pilot would automatically end and the law authorizing it would be repealed on January 1, 2029. The whole bill only takes effect if the General Assembly specifically appropriates money for it in a future budget.

• Creates a new pilot program requiring the Department of Community Health to offer Medicaid coverage for doula care to pregnant Medicaid recipients.
• Caps coverage at up to five doula visits per recipient, covering prepartum, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.
• Requires all participating doulas to complete training approved by the department before they can take part.
• Requires a written report to the Governor, legislative leaders, and health and appropriations committees by December 31, 2028 on outcomes and expansion recommendations.
• Automatically ends the pilot program and repeals the authorizing law on January 1, 2029.
• Makes the entire Act effective only if the legislature specifically appropriates funding for it in a General Appropriations Act.

Pregnant Georgians enrolled in Medicaid, doulas who provide birth support services, and the Department of Community Health, which would design, run, and report on the pilot program. State legislative committees on health and appropriations would also receive the required report.

If funded, Medicaid-covered doula visits could give some pregnant Medicaid recipients access to paid birth support they currently must pay for out of pocket or go without, potentially affecting maternal health outcomes, though the program is temporary and depends entirely on the legislature setting aside money for it.

• Section 1 adds new Code section 49-4-159.5 directing the department to develop a pilot program covering up to five doula visits per pregnant Medicaid recipient.
• Section 1(b) requires participating doulas to complete department-approved training.
• Section 1(c) requires a detailed report by December 31, 2028 to the Governor, legislative leaders, and specified House and Senate committees, including health outcomes and expansion recommendations.
• Section 1(d) sets the pilot program to terminate and the Code section to be automatically repealed on January 1, 2029.
• Section 2 makes the entire Act contingent on a specific line-item appropriation of funds in a General Appropriations Act.
• 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