ASSEMBLY CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND FOOD SECURITY
COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY, No. 4944
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: JANUARY 23, 2025
The Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4944.
The bill requires the Department of Human Services (the DHS) to
conduct a public awareness campaign to inform women and birthing
persons about the benefits of health care services provided by certified
doulas and licensed midwives, and the availability of NJ FamilyCare
coverage for doula and midwife services. The public awareness
campaign will encompass both print and electronic media.
The public awareness campaign will include information
concerning:
(1) the person-centered care and supportive services that doulas
and midwives provide for both birthing persons and infants over the
prenatal, birthing, and postpartum periods;
(2) the culturally competent nature of the care and services
available from doulas and midwives;
(3) the continuum of well-woman care delivered by midwives;
(4) the health benefits and improved maternal and infant health
outcomes resulting from doula and midwife care; and
(5) the availability of NJ FamilyCare coverage for doula and
midwife services for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum enrollees, and
coverage for midwife care and services across the lifespan of women
enrolled in NJ FamilyCare.
Under the bill, the DHS will provide, in an easily accessible
location on its website, information concerning the types of care and
services furnished by doulas and midwives, the health benefits
associated with the doula and midwife care, and the availability of NJ
FamilyCare coverage for doula and midwife services. The DHS
website will also include a directory of doulas and midwives who are
approved NJ FamilyCare providers, and information on the NJ
FamilyCare managed care plans in which each doula and midwife
participates. The DHS, at a minimum, will update the information in
the directory annually.