Senate unanimously passes Brenner bill to require insurance coverage for certified midwife services

AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, the Maine Senate passed a bill from Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, with unanimous, bipartisan support. The bill, LD 600, “An Act To Require Insurance Coverage for Certified Midwife Services,” would require insurance companies to cover services provided by certified midwives.

“Now that certified midwives can be licensed and practice in Maine, it’s time we ensure that they will be paid equitably for their services,” said Sen. Brenner, who is a certified nurse-midwife. “Certified midwives are required to complete the same training, both clinical and didactic, as nurse-midwives. Making sure they are paid equally will not only support them in their practice but will also improve care and health outcomes for women across Maine. I thank my colleagues for choosing to support these skilled health care professionals.”

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 would require 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 bill faces additional votes in the Legislature.

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