2024 Policy Wins and Updates
As the 2023-2024 Pennsylvania Legislative Session has come to a close, MCC would like to share some of the progress on our policy agenda.
This year, two of MCC’s policy priorities have been achieved!
Medicaid Reimbursement for Doulas
MCC is thrilled that Pennsylvania passed HB 1608, one of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus’ Momnibus bills.
This legislation will make doula services reimbursable through Medicaid from pregnancy to one year postpartum!
To learn more, we recommend reading The PA Doula Commission’s Pennsylvania Doula Medicaid Benefit Toolkit.
Perinatal Psychiatric Access Line
We are also excited for the launch of PA’s Perinatal Behavioral Health Consultation and Access Line in Spring of next year.
This program will allow perinatal providers to call the access line to connect with perinatal psychiatry and behavioral health specialists.
To learn more about Perinatal Psychiatric Access Programs, check out the Report our Thriving PA Perinatal Health campaign released in January of 2024.
Momnibus Bills
In addition to HB1608’s success, Momnibus bill HB2127 also got signed into law! This legislation mandates that pregnant and postpartum patients be provided with screenings and resources about perinatal or postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.
The six other Momnibus bills did not get passed this 2023-2024 legislative session and will have to be reintroduced next year.
Paid Family and Medical Leave
The Family Care Act (HB 181 / SB 580) did not pass this session, but MCC remains committed to advocating for a Paid Family and Medical Leave program in Pennsylvania.
Join our advocacy by using this prewritten email form to tell your representatives that you want Paid Leave in PA!
You can also check out our previous blog “Pennsylvanians Deserve Paid Leave” and www.familycareact.com to learn more.
Looking Ahead
MCC remains committed to fighting for Paid Family and Medical Leave and our other policy priorities, which you can learn more about here. We are also looking forward to exploring other policy levers to increase prenatal-to-three economic security.
