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RI H8175

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/27/2026

Primary Sponsor

Jennifer Stewart

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Requires Rhode Island Medicaid to cover services provided by licensed certified lactation counselors for childbearing families and infants from birth to 12 months old

  • Reimbursement must follow Medicaid rates for comparable maternal and child health providers, with no additional physician supervision or referral requirements beyond those applied to other providers for the same services

  • Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) must establish rules for credentialing and enrolling lactation counselors as Medicaid providers

  • EOHHS must collect and report annual data on utilization and expenditures for lactation counselor services beginning July 1, 2028

  • Takes effect immediately upon passage

Legislative Description

Requires Medicaid to cover services by licensed certified lactation counselors and EOHHS to oversee and implement the program and track related costs and use. It also ensures reimbursement consistent with similar providers.

Human Services

Last Action

Introduced, referred to House Finance

2/27/2026

Committee Referrals

Finance2/27/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available