Human services: medical services; coverage for group prenatal care services; require. Amends 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.1 - 400.119b) by adding sec. 109t.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Stephanie Chang

Michigan Medicaid must cover group prenatal care (Centering visits), expanding access for pregnant people and providers, with aims to improve outcomes and reduce preterm births.

placed on second reading

#humanservices:medicalservices

Purpose

SB 1127 would require the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to provide Medicaid coverage for group prenatal care services. The intent is to expand access to evidence‑based, group‑based prenatal care models that combine clinical care, education, and peer support to improve maternal and infant outcomes.

Key provisions

Adds section 109t to the Social Welfare Act (MCL 400.1 et seq.).

Requires DHHS, beginning on the act’s effective date, to cover “group prenatal care services” under the Medical Assistance (Medicaid) program.

Defines “group prenatal care services” as a series of prenatal visits in a group setting based on an evidence‑based model that may include:

health assessments,
social and clinical support,
educational activities in a family‑centered environment,
peer‑to‑peer interaction supporting pregnant individuals through pregnancy into early childhood.

Who is affected

Primary: Medicaid enrollees who are pregnant (they would gain coverage for group prenatal programs).

State agency: DHHS must implement and administer coverage.

Providers: clinics, community health centers, hospitals, and other clinicians offering group prenatal care (e.g., CenteringPregnancy‑style programs) would be potential Medicaid providers and reimbursed for such services.

State budget: Medicaid appropriation and program administrators (implementation and oversight).

Fiscal and policy impacts

The Senate fiscal analysis concludes the fiscal impact on Medicaid would likely be minimal because the FY 2024–25 budget already includes funding for CenteringPregnancy‑style group care ($10.0 million ongoing and $2.5 million one‑time).

Actual cost implications depend on whether the bill’s definition aligns with existing State programs and on provider availability and capacity statewide.

Supporters cite evidence (testimony) that group prenatal care can reduce preterm births, gestational diabetes, and postpartum depression; the bill targets improved maternal and early childhood outcomes.

Procedure / Timeline

Sponsor: Senator Stephanie Chang.

Introduced in the Michigan Senate (Senate Bill 1127); committee review by Health Policy.

Committee reports (Dec. 2024) recommended passage; reported favorably without amendment.

Status (as provided): placed on second reading.

Companion/related bill: SB 1128 (would require private health insurers to cover group prenatal care services); HB 892 is a companion in the House.

This summary describes the introduced Senate version adding Medicaid coverage for group prenatal care; final implementation depends on enactment and any subsequent administrative rules or guidance from DHHS.

Bill