S 2671Medical Services

Human Services - Medical Assistance

This bill requires Rhode Island Medicaid to cover breastfeeding support and counseling services for new mothers and infants.

Introduced

Population
Affected

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Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee Senate Finance

Plain-English Summary

This legislation mandates that the Rhode Island Medicaid program provide coverage for services rendered by licensed certified lactation counselors. These professionals assist families and infants from birth to twelve months with breastfeeding assessment, education, and support. The bill requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish reimbursement rates comparable to other maternal health providers and to create regulations for credentialing these counselors. Additionally, the state must begin collecting data on the utilization and cost of these services by July 1, 2028.

For younger readers

This new rule helps new moms and their babies. Sometimes, mothers need help learning how to feed their babies breast milk. There are special helpers called lactation counselors who are trained to teach this. This bill says that the government health insurance program, called Medicaid, must pay these helpers so families can get this support without worrying about the cost. It ensures that babies can get help with eating during their first year of life, and the counselors get paid fairly for their work.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Medicaid beneficiariesLicensed certified lactation counselorsPregnant women and infantsExecutive Office of Health and Human ServicesTaxpayers

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Expands essential healthcare access to low-income families and marginalized communities who rely on Medicaid, directly addressing health equity gaps in maternal and infant care.
Supports the economic stability of lactation professionals by mandating Medicaid reimbursement, potentially allowing more diverse providers to serve their communities.
Promotes long-term public health and community welfare by encouraging breastfeeding, which is linked to better health outcomes for both mothers and children.
The strict requirement for state licensure and certification may create barriers to entry for community-based peer counselors or indigenous practitioners who lack formal institutional credentials but provide valuable support.
Reimbursement is tied to "comparable services," which, if existing Medicaid rates are already too low, may not provide a true living wage for the counselors.
Limiting coverage to infants up to twelve months may fail to support families who choose to breastfeed longer, as recommended by some international health organizations.

For Conservatives

Eliminates bureaucratic red tape by removing requirements for physician supervision or referrals, allowing professionals to practice within their scope more freely.
Supports traditional family structures and the mother-infant bond by facilitating breastfeeding and maternal care.
May reduce long-term state healthcare costs, as breastfed infants often have fewer health complications, leading to less strain on taxpayer-funded emergency services.
Expands the size and cost of the Medicaid program, increasing government spending and the burden on taxpayers.
Increases the regulatory state by mandating the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to promulgate new rules, regulations, and data collection requirements.
Represents government interference in the healthcare market by mandating coverage and setting reimbursement methodologies rather than letting the market dictate services.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 26 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 40-8-33. Licensed certified lactation counselor -- Medicaid coverage.

(a) As used in this section, “licensed certified lactation counselor” means a trained professional who holds a licensure and certification by the department of health in accordance with chapter 13.8 of title 23. Licensed certified lactation counselors provide services in assessment, evaluation, problem identification, treatment, education, and consultation to provide lactation care and services to childbearing families, and infant children from birth to twelve (12) months old within the scope of practice pursuant to § 23-13.8-9.

(b) The executive office of health and human services (“EOHHS”) shall provide coverage under the Medicaid program for services provided by a licensed certified lactation counselor, when such services are within the counselor’s lawful scope of practice and are otherwise eligible for coverage under the Medicaid state plan or a waiver approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

(c) Reimbursement for services provided by a licensed certified lactation counselor shall be made in accordance with Medicaid reimbursement principles and methodologies applicable to other maternal and child health providers for comparable services. No requirement for physician or other provider supervision, signature, or referral shall be imposed unless such requirement is imposed on other providers for the same service.

(d) The EOHHS shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this section including, but not limited to, credentialing and enrollment requirements for licensed certified lactation counselors participating as Medicaid providers.

(e) On or before July 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, the EOHHS shall collect and maintain data on utilization and expenditures related to services provided by licensed certified lactation counselors to Medicaid beneficiaries.

(f) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified, the provisions of this section shall supersede and shall control over any conflicting or inconsistent laws, including general laws, special laws, or local laws, or any rule or regulation of the state.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.