Bill Text: HI SR4 | 2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requesting The Department Of Human Services Med-quest Division To Expand The Types Of Qualified Providers Allowed To Provide Lactation Consultant Services For The Medicaid Population In The State.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-05-22 - Certified copies of resolutions sent. [SR4 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2023-SR4-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES MED-QUEST DIVISION TO EXPAND THE TYPES OF QUALIFIED PROVIDERS ALLOWED TO PROVIDE LACTATION CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE MEDICAID POPULATION IN THE STATE.
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breastfeeding has health benefits for babies and mothers, as breast milk provides a baby with ideal nutrition, supports growth and development, and can also help protect the baby and mother against certain illnesses and diseases; and
WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about six months then continued breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods until a child is at least twelve months old; and
WHEREAS, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, includes guidelines for coverage of breastfeeding support and counseling; and
WHEREAS, a lactation consultant is a certified health professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding and is trained to assist mothers in preventing and solving breastfeeding difficulties, such as sore nipples and low milk supply; and
WHEREAS, lactation consultants commonly work in hospitals, physician or midwife practices, public health programs, and private practice; and
WHEREAS, lactation consultants in the United States are often nurses, midwives, nurse practitioners, dietitians, and other health care professionals who have obtained additional certification through the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners or the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice's Certified Lactation Counselor Program; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii's QUEST Integration Program, which provides eligible low-income adults and children access to health and medical coverage through managed care plans, does not currently allow all qualified providers who have obtained International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners certification or Certified Lactation Counselor certification to provide lactation consultant services; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii's Medicaid population would greatly benefit from increased access to lactation consultant services to assist breastfeeding mothers; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division is requested to expand the types of qualified providers allowed to provide lactation consultant services for the Medicaid population in the State; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that to expand the types of qualified providers, the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division is requested to take any steps necessary to obtain necessary approvals, create internal processes, and credential appropriate providers who have obtained International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners certification or Certified Lactation Counselor certification; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division is requested to submit a report to the Legislature on the steps taken and progress made in expanding the types of providers who can provide lactation consultant services no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services, Director of Health, and Administrator of the Med-QUEST Division.
Med-QUEST; Department of Human Services; Lactation Consultant; Medicaid; Access
