SB 470 West Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Allowing for doula reimbursement under Medicaid

This bill requires West Virginia Medicaid to cover doula services for eligible pregnant individuals. It mandates that the state file a plan amendment defining a doula as a trained professional providing physical, emotional, and informational support from confirmed conception through 180 days postpartum. Coverage includes two prenatal and two postpartum visits, with each visit reimbursed at $125 (adjusted annually for inflation), to be implemented by October 1, 2027. This directly affects Medicaid-eligible pregnant women and new mothers in West Virginia, expanding their covered maternity care options. The policy change is limited to existing Medicaid beneficiaries meeting income eligibility requirements.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Last action Jan 16, 2026
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Total actions
4
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0
Committee
2
Jan 16, 2026
Committee
To Health and Human Resources
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Committee
To Health and Human Resources then Finance
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Laura Chapman
Laura Chapman
RRepublican
WV
1