Establishes licensing for freestanding birth centers in Vermont and requires health insurance and Medicaid to cover birth center services.

This bill proposes to establish a licensing structure for freestanding birth centers in Vermont, exempting them from certificate of need review. It mandates that health insurance plans and Medicaid cover prenatal, maternity, postpartum, and newborn services provided at birth centers. The Department of Health would be responsible for licensing, inspections, and enforcement actions against birth centers. The bill also seeks federal approval to allow Vermont Medicaid to cover birth center services, including facility fees.

Establishes licensing for freestanding birth centers in Vermont and requires health insurance and Medicaid to cover birth center services.

This bill proposes to establish a licensing structure for freestanding birth centers in Vermont, exempting them from certificate of need review. It mandates that health insurance plans and Medicaid cover prenatal, maternity, postpartum, and newborn services provided at birth centers. The Department of Health would be responsible for licensing, inspections, and enforcement actions against birth centers. The bill also seeks federal approval to allow Vermont Medicaid to cover birth center services, including facility fees.