SB2437 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 10548 KTG 20624 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2437

Introduced 2/7/2025, by Sen. Lakesia Collins

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

305 ILCS 5/5-18.6 new
305 ILCS 5/5-18.7 new

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires hospitals and birthing centers to adopt and maintain written policies and procedures authorizing a patient enrolled in the medical assistance program to select an Illinois Medicaid certified and enrolled doula of the patient's choice to accompany the patient within the facility's premises for the purposes of providing support before, during, and after labor and childbirth, and during the patient's entire postpartum stay. Provides that the doula shall be considered part of the patient's care team and shall not be counted as a support person or against any guest quota. Requires hospitals and birthing centers to provide a written copy of their policies and procedures to maternity patients, the facilities' maternity health care providers, and any other person at the patient's request. Requires publication of the written policies on each facility's website. Contains provisions concerning hospital and birthing center liaisons and doulas certification acknowledgment requirements. Permits the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Public Health to establish standing recommendations to meet Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirements and ensure access to preventive services, including Medicaid-covered maternal and reproductive health supports and services.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public aid.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by adding Sections 5-18.6 and 5-18.7 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/5-18.6 new)

Sec. 5-18.6. Doula policies; hospitals and birthing centers.

(a) Each hospital and birthing center shall adopt and maintain written policies and procedures authorizing a patient enrolled in the medical assistance program to select an Illinois Medicaid certified and enrolled doula of the patient's choice to accompany the patient within the facility's premises for the purposes of providing support before, during, and after labor and childbirth, and during the patient's entire postpartum stay.

(1) The doula shall be considered part of the patient's care team and essential to patient care.

(2) The doula shall not be counted as a support person or against the guest quota before, during, or after childbirth.

(b) Each hospital and birthing center shall provide a written copy of the policies and procedures adopted in accordance with subsection (a) to:

(1) each health care provider providing maternity services at the facility;

(2) each patient receiving maternity services at the facility; and

(3) any other person, at the request of the patient.

(c) Each hospital and birthing center shall post a summary of the facility's policies and procedures adopted in accordance with subsection (a) on the facility's website.

(d) Each hospital and birthing center shall designate a staff member to serve as a liaison between the facility and Illinois Medicaid enrolled doulas and doula organizations in order to provide and communicate information concerning the facility's policies and procedures adopted in accordance with subsection (a).

(e) At the request of the hospital or birthing facility, Illinois Medicaid enrolled doulas must provide written acknowledgment of Illinois Medicaid doula certification and enrollment in the medical assistance program.

(305 ILCS 5/5-18.7 new)

Sec. 5-18.7. Standing recommendations. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Public Health may establish standing recommendations to meet Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirements and ensure access to preventive services, including Medicaid-covered maternal and reproductive health supports and services, such as, but not limited to, doulas, lactation consultants, home visitors, community health workers, and 1115 Waiver services.

No employee of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or the Department of Public Health issuing a standing recommendation in accordance with this Section shall, as a result of the employee's acts or omissions in issuing the standing recommendation, be subject to (i) any disciplinary or other adverse action under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, (ii) any civil liability, or (iii) any criminal liability.