from Emily Dulong, Vice President, Government Advocacy & Public Policy

“This legislation is a powerful advancement of maternal healthcare in Massachusetts. It expands birthing options for the commonwealth’s patients, empowers midwifery and doula care, and further integrates perinatal professionals into patient care teams. We fully support the bill’s critical investments in community-based behavioral healthcare for perinatal patients, patient screenings for postpartum depression, and the new task force to set a pathway for continued access and quality in our statewide maternal health system. Hospitals and health systems have long supported this and other legislative efforts to address existing equity gaps in birthing patient care and stand ready as strong partners for anyone seeking an out-of-hospital delivery who ultimately needs medical intervention.

“MHA and our members are grateful for the legislation’s House and Senate sponsors and longtime champions, the chairs of the Joint Committees on Public Health and Health Care Financing who supported and advanced the bill, and the conference committee members who swiftly reached compromise on these critical issues.”