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HB 588

Community Health Worker Certification Act; board created; core competency skills framework specified; training programs and certification procedures provided; Medicaid reimbursement approval sought

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kenyatté Hassell

Alabama bill creates Community Health Worker certification board and establishes Medicaid reimbursement pathway to professionalize and fund community health workers.

Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Health
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Bill Summary · HB 588

Legislative bill overview

HB 588 establishes a formal certification system for Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Alabama by creating a regulatory board, defining core competency skills, and establishing training and certification procedures. The bill also seeks approval for Medicaid reimbursement of certified CHW services, which would create a pathway for these workers to be paid through the state's Medicaid program.

Why is this important

Community Health Workers fill a critical gap in healthcare access, particularly in underserved and rural communities, by providing culturally competent health education and navigation services. Formal certification and Medicaid reimbursement would legitimize the profession, improve quality standards, increase job opportunities, and potentially reduce healthcare costs by preventing disease through early intervention and patient education.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and reimbursement rates: Medicaid reimbursement expansion requires state budget allocation; stakeholders may debate whether reimbursement rates are sufficient or sustainable
  • Scope of practice boundaries: Defining what certified CHWs can and cannot do relative to nurses and other healthcare professionals may create jurisdictional disputes
  • Board composition and regulatory burden: Questions about who sits on the certification board, how stringent requirements are, and whether certification barriers might limit workforce diversity or accessibility for existing CHWs without formal credentials

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

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