HB 7102, An Act Concerning Maternal And Infant Health Care

TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

Thursday, March 6, 2025

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning HB 7102, An Act Concerning Maternal And Infant Health Care. CHA supports this bill with recommendations.

Connecticut hospitals and health systems care for patients, strengthen the state’s economy, and support vulnerable communities across the state. Every day, they work to improve healthcare access, affordability, and health equity. Even as they face ongoing challenges, hospitals provide world-class care to everyone who walks through their doors, regardless of their ability to pay. Hospitals also support an exemplary workforce as the largest collective employer in the state, contribute significantly to the state’s economy, and invest in their communities addressing social drivers of health.

Section 1 of HB 7102 calls for the Commissioner of Health Strategy, in consultation with the Commissioners of Social Services and Public Health, to develop a strategic plan to increase birth centers and birthing hospitals in underserved regions of the state. Section 2 requires the Department of Social Services (DSS) to increase Medicaid reimbursement for doulas, and Section 3 extends the scope of the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative (CFI) council to expand the role of fathers in supporting maternal and infant health. CHA supports the focus of the bill, which aims to address access and support issues in the perinatal period that contribute to poor maternal health outcomes especially in underserved regions.

Birth Centers and Birthing Hospitals

The strategic plan called for in the bill must include an examination of the operational challenges experienced by birthing hospitals, including low birth rates and shortages of providers which impact the availability of care.

CHA recommends that the proposed strategy address healthcare workforce issues, Medicaid underpayment for perinatal providers, and the expansion of home visiting programs that serve as connection points for hospital and community-based maternity care services. To address regulatory barriers, we urge the committee to also require the Commissioner of Health Strategy to consult with CHA or a hospital representative in the strategic planning process.

Medicaid Reimbursement for Doulas

CHA supports provisions of the bill to increase the Medicaid reimbursement rate for doula services covered in the bundled payment for maternity services within available appropriations. Doula support throughout the perinatal period enhances the patient’s engagement and satisfaction in their care, which ultimately promotes good birth outcomes. Doula integration is also a focus of Connecticut’s birthing hospitals. It is important to ensure that doulas receive sufficient reimbursement for their services to enable patient access to sustained support throughout the postpartum period.

Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative

While existing perinatal support programs offered by hospitals and health systems focus on mother and child, several Connecticut hospitals have already implemented initiatives to support and engage fathers in their children’s lives. To achieve the objective to expand the role of fathers in maternity care as part of the existing fatherhood initiative, we have an opportunity to support hospitals’ and health systems’ efforts by (1) encouraging the integration and designing of programs that promote whole family well-being and (2) building their capacity to enhance screening initiatives to address interpersonal violence with the grant opportunity in Section 3(f) of this bill. As such, CHA supports Section 3 of this bill.

Thank you for your consideration of our position. For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7301.