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Statutory Text

SEC. 2301. COVERAGE FOR FREESTANDING BIRTH CENTER SERVICES. (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d), is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (27), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; (B) by redesignating paragraph (28) as paragraph (29); and (C) by inserting after paragraph (27) the following new paragraph: ‘‘(28) freestanding birth center services (as defined in subsection (l)(3)(A)) and other ambulatory services that are offered by a freestanding birth center (as defined in subsection (l)(3)(B)) and that are otherwise included in the plan; and’’; and (2) in subsection (l), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ‘‘(3)(A) The term ‘freestanding birth center services’ means services furnished to an individual at a freestanding birth center (as defined in subparagraph (B)) at such center. ‘‘(B) The term ‘freestanding birth center’ means a health facility— ‘‘(i) that is not a hospital; ‘‘(ii) where childbirth is planned to occur away from the pregnant woman’s residence; ‘‘(iii) that is licensed or otherwise approved by the State to provide prenatal labor and delivery or postpartum care and other ambulatory services that are included in the plan; and ‘‘(iv) that complies with such other requirements relating to the health and safety of individuals furnished services by the facility as the State shall establish. ‘‘(C) A State shall provide separate payments to providers administering prenatal labor and delivery or postpartum care in a freestanding birth center (as defined in subparagraph (B)), such as nurse midwives and other providers of services such as birth attendants recognized under State law, as determined appropriate by the Secretary. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term ‘birth attendant’ means an individual who is recognized or registered by the State involved to provide health care at childbirth and who provides such care within the scope of practice under which the individual is legally authorized to perform such care under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law), regardless of whether the individual is under the supervision of, or associated with, a physician or other health care provider. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as changing State law requirements applicable to a birth attendant.’’. (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1902(a)(10)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)), is amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by striking ‘‘and (21)’’ and inserting ‘‘, (21), and (28)’’. (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to services furnished on or after such date. (2) EXCEPTION IF STATE LEGISLATION REQUIRED.—In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet this additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.