Mama+ Legislative Efforts
Mama+ remains steadfast in its commitment to being a present and active partner in the work to create a fair and equitable Louisiana for Black birthing people.
This page details some of our successful policy wins and where we are still fighting for change.
Big Wins Worth Celebrating
Creation of Doula Registry Board
Act 182 (2021)
Expands insurance recognition of midwifery services and establishes a formal state framework for doula services, with the goal of improving maternity care access and outcomes in Louisiana.
Doula Coverage (Medicaid)
Act 228 (2025)
Requires the Louisiana Medicaid program to cover certain doula services related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Private Insurance Pay Parity for Midwives
Act 270 (2023)
Requires Medicaid to reimburse licensed midwives and certified nurse midwives for maternal healthcare services. It also enhances access to maternity care, encourages provider participation in Medicaid, and offer recipients more options for prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum services.
Doula Coverage (Private Insurance)
HB 702 (2024)
Mandates that the state-regulated private health insurance plans cover doula services, providing reimbursement of up to $1,500 per pregnancy. Legislation is pending House Appropriations committee.
Increased Medicaid Reimbursement Rates for Physicians
Act 306 (2024)
Mandates that the state-regulated private health insurance plans cover doula services, providing reimbursement of up to $1,500 per pregnancy.
Insurance Coverage for Pregnancy-related and Postpartum Healthcare Services
Act 762 (2024)
Requires all state-regulated health insurance plans that provide maternity benefits to explicitly cover pregnancy-related and postpartum healthcare services, including nutrition counseling and lactation support.
Increases Medicaid Reimbursement Rate for Midwives
Act 207 (2023)
Mandates that the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) reimburse licensed midwives and certified nurse-midwives at no less than 95% of the physician fee for the same pregnancy and childbirth services.
Perinatal Mental Health Screenings During and After Pregnancy
Act 188 (2022)
Requires hospitals and birthing centers to provide mothers with educational materials on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Pregnancy Hypertension Screening
Act 299 (2024)
Mandates that healthcare providers offering prenatal and postpartum care must screen pregnant women for hypertension and preeclampsia.
Insurance Coverage for Amino Acid-based Formulas
Act 367 (2025)
Mandates that both private health insurers and Medicaid cover medically necessary amino acid-based elemental formulas for infants and children aged two or younger.
Past Wins/Losses
In the Legislature
2025
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SB156 (Act 116): provides for in vitro fertilization
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SB26 (Act 402): provides relative to diabetes information
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SB102 (DEAD): provides relative to obstetric care
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SB120 (Act 421): provides relative to use of emergency certificates for formal voluntary admission
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SB174 (Act 437): provides relative to screening pregnant women for HIV and syphilis
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SB70 (Act 322): provides relative to remote patient monitoring services
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SB182 (Act 440): provides relative to Medicaid prior authorization during a declared emergency
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SB15 (Act 399): prohibits any act intended to hinder, delay, prevent, or otherwise interfere with or thwart federal immigration enforcement efforts
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SB134 (Act 342): provides relative to health care definitions
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SB130 (Act 427): provides relative to Medicaid
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SB205 (DEAD): provides for employment practices related to wage history, wage disclosure, and retaliation
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SB96 (Act 417): establishes Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain behavioral health services
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SB42 (Act 410): provides relative to perinatal behavioral health treatment
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SCR9: would create a task force to study and report on strategies to increase engagement of fathers in the lives of their children
2024
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SB 55 (Act 122): Requires post-birth educational information for patients
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SB 143 (Act 299): Mandates hypertension screening for pregnant and postpartum patients
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SB 190 (Act 306): Increases Medicaid reimbursement rates
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HB 702: Secures Medicaid coverage for doulas
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SB 151: Regulates free-standing birth centers
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SB 300 (Act 762): Expands insurance coverage for postpartum and pregnancy care
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SB 225: Affirms the right to contraception
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SB 135: Expands postpartum Medicaid coverage
2023
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SR 192: Created Louisiana Task Force on Maternal Health to study maternal mortality and propose reforms
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SR 19: Officially recognized Black Maternal Health Week (April 11–17) statewide
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HB 272 (Act 270): Requires private insurance to cover doula services (up to $1,500 per pregnancy)
2022
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HB 784 (Act 188): Mandates perinatal mood disorder screening in primary care
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SB 268 (Act 309): Expands MAT access for pregnant people with opioid use disorder
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SB 116 (Act 676): Creates Office on Women’s Health in LDH
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HB 516 (Act 472): Supports pregnant/parenting high school students
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HB 557 (Act 708): Provides six-month continuous contraception via Medicaid
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HB 1083 (Act 529): Enacts CROWN Act for hair discrimination protection
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HB 650 & 651 (Acts 488 & 489): Insurance coverage for donor human milk
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SB 60: Defeated – would have enabled blood testing of birthing people
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SR 131: Created maternal substance use disorder study commission
2021
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HCR 105: Creation of LA Perinatal Maternal Mental Health Task Force: Established a formal body to investigate maternal mental health needs statewide
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HR 193 and SR 208: Urged the Louisiana Department of Health to develop and submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services an amendment to the Medicaid state plan in 2022, allowing for postpartum Medicaid coverage for 12 months after birth for eligible pregnant individuals who qualified under the state’s Medicaid plan in furtherance of HB No. 468 of the 2021 Regular Session. Both resolutions set the precedent for Medicaid expansion under the American Rescue Plan Act.
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