Expanded Acc. to Doulas and Midwives/BC Lic.

This bill expands North Carolina Medicaid coverage to include doula services during pregnancy and the postpartum period while establishing a licensing system for certified professional midwives and birth centers. To support these changes, the state will seek approval from the federal government to cover doula care, create a new council to oversee midwife licensing, and appropriate funds to reimburse doulas and assist the workforce. The legislation defines specific skills doulas must possess, such as newborn care and cultural awareness, and sets up a regulatory framework that distinguishes licensed midwives from other healthcare providers like nurses and physicians.