PRIA Logo™
OregonSB 15682026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Relating to perinatal services; and declaring an emergency.

Sponsored By: Courtney Neron Misslin (Democratic), Deb Patterson (Democratic), Dick Anderson (Republican), Lisa Reynolds (Democratic), Travis Nelson (Democratic)

Became Law

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Medicaid covers doulas and lactation help

Beginning January 1, 2028, Medicaid covers doula care with at least 12 visits or 24 hours, plus labor and delivery, no matter the birth outcome. You do not need a referral, and prior authorization is only to approve extra hours. Care must come from someone in your community or from a provider with recent cultural training. Medicaid also covers lactation counselor services without a referral. Coordinated care organizations must post and print how to get these services. These rules apply to CCO–OHA contracts signed, changed, or renewed on or after January 1, 2028.

Private plans must cover doulas and lactation

Beginning January 1, 2028, Oregon health plans that cover pregnancy and birth must also cover doula and lactation counselor services. Plans must cover at least 24 hours of doula services in addition to labor and delivery and may approve more hours. No prior authorization, referral, signature, or supervision is allowed for these services, except to approve extra doula hours. Plans must tell enrollees how to access this care and may apply normal deductibles and coinsurance. Starting in 2029, the state adjusts the annual required doula coverage amount using CPI rules. The insurance department issues guidance to help plans follow these rules.

Grants to grow community perinatal care

The Oregon Health Authority runs a grant program to expand community perinatal services, with a focus on culturally specific care. Grants can pay for training, wages for trainees, outreach, starting or growing services, billing help, mentoring, and education. Oregon tribes, culturally specific groups, nonprofits, and businesses may qualify. Past grantees may use existing funds for lactation counselor or educator work after the new rules take effect.

Regular Medicaid pay reviews for doulas and lactation

Every even-numbered year, the Oregon Health Authority reviews and updates Medicaid pay rates for doulas and lactation counselors if needed. Reviews must consider provider retention, fair and sustainable pay, cultural access, and evidence on cost‑effectiveness.

Standards for doulas and lactation counselors

The Oregon Health Authority must set training and education rules for birth and postpartum doulas by January 1, 2028. The Traditional Health Workers Commission creates a voluntary registration with standards and continuing education for lactation counselors. Doulas and lactation counselors should provide culturally specific care when practicable. Lactation counselors may serve clients regardless of birth outcome.

State perinatal quality group at OHSU

OHSU hosts the Oregon Perinatal Collaborative. It coordinates statewide quality improvement and develops policy ideas to improve maternal and infant health.

Old perinatal statutes repealed

The law repeals ORS 414.667 and ORS 676.689. The bill text here does not say how these removals change services or spending.

When these changes take effect

This law takes effect on passage. But many sections, including key Medicaid and insurance changes, are operative January 1, 2028. OHA, insurers, and coordinated care organizations may take steps before that date to get ready.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Courtney Neron Misslin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Deb Patterson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dick Anderson

    Republican • Senate

  • Lisa Reynolds

    Democratic • Senate

  • Travis Nelson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Bobby Levy

    Republican • House

  • Dacia Grayber

    Democratic • House

  • Emerson Levy

    Democratic • House

  • Lamar Wise

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Fragala

    Democratic • House

  • Pam Marsh

    Democratic • House

  • Sara Gelser Blouin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sue Rieke Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Suzanne Weber

    Republican • Senate

  • Thuy Tran

    Democratic • House

  • Willy Chotzen

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 104 • No: 18

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and repassed bill.

Yes: 23 • No: 7

House vote • 3/4/2026

Third reading. Carried by Grayber. Passed.

Yes: 48 • No: 4

House vote • 2/26/2026

Health Care: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Third reading. Carried by Reynolds. Passed.

Yes: 22 • No: 6

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Early Childhood and Behavioral Health: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 4 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date, March 31, 2026.

    4/6/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 92, 2026 Laws.

    4/6/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/31/2026Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    3/6/2026House

  5. President signed.

    3/6/2026Senate

  6. Senate concurred in House amendments and repassed bill.

    3/5/2026Senate

  7. Third reading. Carried by Grayber. Passed.

    3/4/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Carried over to March 4, 2026 Calendar.

    3/3/2026House

  9. Second reading.

    3/2/2026House

  10. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed B-Engrossed.

    2/27/2026House

  11. Work Session held.

    2/26/2026House

  12. Public Hearing held.

    2/24/2026House

  13. Referred to Health Care.

    2/20/2026House

  14. First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

    2/19/2026House

  15. Third reading. Carried by Reynolds. Passed.

    2/19/2026Senate

  16. Second reading.

    2/18/2026Senate

  17. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)

    2/17/2026Senate

  18. Work Session held.

    2/12/2026Senate

  19. Public Hearing held.

    2/10/2026Senate

  20. Referred to Early Childhood and Behavioral Health.

    2/2/2026Senate

  21. Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    3/5/2026

    PDF

  • B-Engrossed

    2/27/2026

    PDF

  • House Amendments to A-Engrossed

    2/27/2026

    PDF

  • HHC Amendment -A3 (Adopted)

    2/26/2026

    PDF

  • HHC Amendment -A3 (Proposed)

    2/24/2026

    PDF

  • A-Engrossed

    2/17/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Amendments to Introduced

    2/17/2026

    PDF

  • SECBH Amendment -2 (Adopted)

    2/12/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/28/2026

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation