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S 1423 IS
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1423
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require coverage under the Medicaid Program for freestanding birth center services.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 9, 2009
Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mr. BEGICH) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require coverage under the Medicaid Program for freestanding birth center services.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
SEC. 2. COVERAGE UNDER MEDICAID FOR FREESTANDING BIRTH CENTER SERVICES.
(a) In General- Section 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (28) as paragraph (29);
(B) in paragraph (27), by striking at the end ‘and’; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (27) the following new paragraph:
‘(28) freestanding birth center services (as defined in subsection (l)(3)(A)) and other ambulatory services that are offered by a freestanding birth center (as defined in subsection (l)(3)(B)) and that are otherwise included in the plan; and’; and
(2) in subsection (l), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
‘(3)(A) The term ‘freestanding birth center services’ means services furnished to an individual at a freestanding birth center (as defined in subparagraph (B)), including by a licensed birth attendant (as defined in subparagraph (C)) at such center.
‘(B) The term ‘freestanding birth center’ means a health facility--
‘(i) that is not a hospital; and
‘(ii) where childbirth is planned to occur away from the pregnant woman’s residence.
‘(C) The term ‘licensed birth attendant’ means an individual who is licensed or registered by the State involved to provide health care at childbirth and who provides such care within the scope of practice under which the individual is legally authorized to perform such care under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law), regardless of whether the individual is under the supervision of, or associated with, a physician or other health care provider. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as changing State law requirements applicable to a licensed birth attendant.’.
(b) Conforming Amendment- Section 1902(a)(10)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)) is amended by striking ‘and (21)’ and inserting ‘, (21), and (28)’.
(c) Effective Date-
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to services furnished on or after such date.
(2) EXCEPTION IF STATE LEGISLATION REQUIRED- In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet this additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
U.S. Congress - Text of S.1423 as Introduced in Senate Medicaid Birth Center Reimbursement Act
