HB 454 Louisiana House · 2025 Regular Session

MEDICAID: Requires Medicaid coverage for certain doula services (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 454 would require Medicaid to cover specific doula services for eligible enrollees. This bill directly affects Medicaid recipients who use certified doula services during pregnancy and postpartum care. The key provision mandates that Medicaid plans include coverage for these services, though the bill text does not specify exact service types or eligibility criteria beyond "certain" doula care. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Appropriations after passing the Health and Welfare Committee unanimously. This policy change would expand access to doula support for low-income individuals under the state's Medicaid program.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Apr 4, 2025 Signed Jun 10, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB454 Original → HB454 Act · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled Act, expanding the sponsor list to include additional representatives and senators. The text was reorganized to clearly define 'doula' and 'doula treatment' while mandating that all Louisiana Medicaid plans cover these services. Specific requirements were added to ensure doulas are accepted as providers and that discriminatory clauses in contracts are voided.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on Medicaid coverage for doula services in Louisiana, but the final version clarifies the definitions and enforcement mechanisms for providers and plans.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'Doula' (trained support, not medical care) and 'Doula treatment or care' (services by a registered doula).

Listed specific covered services including prenatal/postpartum support, breastfeeding assistance, parenting education, and support after pregnancy loss.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that all Medicaid coverage plans in Louisiana must include coverage for doula services before, during, and after childbirth.

Required that doulas with approved registration be accepted as providers by all Louisiana Medicaid plans.

ENFORCEMENT

Declared any contract or plan terminology that discriminates against doulas as void and unenforceable.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header to reflect the enrolled status and expanded the list of sponsoring legislators.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 2, 2025 · House May 19, 2025

How they voted

33–2

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 37

Jun 2, 2025

D Democratic11

10 Yea 1

90% Yea

R Republican26

23 Yea 2 Nay 1

88% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read by title, roll called, yeas 93, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

lower

Jun 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 2 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

May 29, 2025

Committee

Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

May 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Recalled from Committee.

upper

May 29, 2025

Committee

Read by title. Recommitted to the Committee on Finance.

upper

May 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee amendments read and adopted.

upper

May 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

May 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 83, nays 13. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Discharged from the Committee on Appropriations.

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Committee

Read by title, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (13-0).

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

lower

1 primary · 28 co-sponsors