NURSE MIDWIFE SERVICES
House Bills 4750-4752
Sponsor: Rep. Triette Reeves
Committee: Insurance and Financial Services
Complete to 7-11-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 4750-4752 AS INTRODUCED 5-8-01
House Bill 4750 would amend the Social Welfare Act (MCL 400.109h) to require that the Department of Community Health include, as part of its program of medical services under the act, coverage for maternity services provided by a nurse midwife acting within the scope of his or her specialty certification. (Obstetrical care is included under the hospital services that an eligible person may receive.)
House Bill 4751 would amend the Insurance Code (MCL 500.3406l) so that a health maintenance organization (HMO) contract or an expense-incurred hospital, medical, or surgical policy or certificate of a commercial health insurer that provided coverage for maternity services would have to provide coverage for such services whether performed by a physician or a nurse midwife acting within the scope of his or her specialty certification, or both. The requirement would be effective January 1, 2002.
House Bill 4752 would amend the Nonprofit Health Care Corporation Reform Act (MCL 550.1416d), which regulates Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, so a group or nongroup certificate that provided coverage for maternity services would have to provide coverage for such services whether performed by a physician or a nurse midwife acting within the scope of his or her specialty certification, or both. The requirement would be effective January 1, 2002.
The term "certified nurse midwife", as used in the bills, would refer to an individual licensed as a registered professional nurse under Article 15 (Part 172) of the Public Health Code who had been issued a specialty certification in the practice of nurse midwifery by the Board of Nursing.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.