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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri requires Department of Health and Senior Services to create a doula registry for health insurance reimbursement
Last action · May 15, 2026: Referred: Emerging Issues(H)Sponsors: Tiffany Price and 2 others
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What This Bill Would Do
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services must establish a registration process and statewide registry for trained s to enable health insurance reimbursement for their services. The measure requires the department to consult with organizations such as the Missouri Community Doula Council when setting application criteria, and specifies that unregistered individuals may still practice as doulas.
Pregnant and birthing individuals across Missouri may gain health insurance coverage for support services once providers complete the new state registration process. The measure establishes administrative rules regarding rulemaking authority tied to chapter 536, taking effect conditionally around August 28, 2026.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
doulas
Doulas can apply for state registration to enable health insurance reimbursement for their services while retaining the right to practice without registration.
Department of Health and Senior Services
The department is required to create application criteria, review applications, issue approvals or denials, maintain a statewide registry, and promulgate rules.
pregnant and birthing women and their families
Individuals receiving childbirth support may access health insurance reimbursement for doula services provided by registered practitioners.
Key Facts
- The Department of Health and Senior Services must review and approve doula registrations to allow health insurance reimbursement for doula services.
- A doula is defined as an individual trained to provide physical, emotional, and educational support, but not medical or midwifery care, before, during, and after childbirth.
- The department must create application criteria, review and approve or deny applications, provide specific reasons for any denial, and maintain a statewide registry of approved doulas.
- When creating application criteria, the department must consult the Missouri Community Doula Council and other community doula organizations.
Show all 6 facts
- The measure does not prohibit any person from practicing as a doula in the state regardless of whether they are registered.
- The department must promulgate all necessary rules and regulations under chapter 536, with rulemaking authority subject to specific statutory review provisions taking effect August 28, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state agency is responsible for managing the doula registry?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- May 15, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Emerging Issues(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 1, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Creation of State Doula Registry
Establishes the state's first formal registration system specifically for doulas to qualify for health insurance reimbursement.
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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