Sen. Brenner bill to require insurance coverage for certified midwife services signed into law

AUGUSTA – On Tuesday, May 25, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law a bill sponsored by Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough. LD 600, “An Act To Require Insurance Coverage for Certified Midwife Services,” requires insurance companies to cover services provided by certified midwives. 

“Certified midwives are skilled health care professionals who are extremely valuable to our state and Maine women,” said Sen. Brenner. “As more certified midwives become licensed and begin to practice in Maine, we need to make sure that they are paid equitably for their services. This law will do just that, and I thank Gov. Mills for her support of the measure.”

 In 2016, the Legislature passed LD 690, which set standards, educational requirements and a process for certified midwives to become licensed in Maine. The law took effect on Jan. 1, 2020. Sen. Brenner’s bill builds off that law and requires insurance companies to cover services provided by certified midwives.

Certified midwives differ from certified nurse-midwives in that they are not required to have a degree in nursing. However, they are required to complete the same training and same amount of continuing education annually as nurse-midwives. 

The law will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die. 

###