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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 16

Legislative bill overview

SB 16 would require Kentucky's Medicaid program to cover services provided by certified professional midwives (CPMs). Currently, Medicaid in Kentucky covers midwifery services only when provided by certified nurse midwives (CNMs), a more extensively regulated credential. This bill would expand coverage to include the broader category of CPMs who meet state certification standards.

Why is this important

Medicaid covers approximately 1 in 4 Kentucky births, making this a significant access issue for low-income pregnant individuals. CPMs typically practice in out-of-hospital settings (birth centers, home births) and may be unavailable or unaffordable to uninsured or underinsured patients without this coverage mandate. The change could increase childbirth options and potentially reduce healthcare costs by supporting lower-intervention birth models for low-risk pregnancies.

Potential points of contention

  • Credential differences: CNMs require nursing degrees plus midwifery training; CPMs follow alternative certification pathways. Some medical providers argue CNM standards provide higher safety assurance, while midwifery advocates counter that CPMs are competent for low-risk births and face unnecessary regulatory barriers.
  • Cost and budget impact: Expanding Medicaid coverage increases state expenditures during tight budget cycles, though proponents argue midwifery care may reduce cesarean rates and overall perinatal costs.
  • Safety and liability: Questions about CPM-attended birth outcomes, transfer-of-care protocols, and malpractice liability if complications arise during out-of-hospital births attended by CPMs rather than hospital-based providers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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