FUNKE FROMMEYER SHEPHERDS
SB 89 TO FINAL PASSAGE
FRANKFORT, KY. (February 15, 2024) – Today, licensed certified professional midwives (LCPMs) would be added to those eligible to receive Medicaid reimbursement when Senate Bill 89 passed the Senate 34-3. The bill has been shepherded through the legislative process by Sen. Shelly Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, who is leading the wellness revolution.
“LCPMs are primary maternity care providers who deliver comprehensive perinatal care including complete prenatal care, labor and delivery services, and postpartum care for mother and baby through 6 weeks after birth,” said Funke Frommeyer. “These are trained professionals who hold a national midwifery certification and a license in our state.”
Eighteen states plus Washington, D.C. have implemented some form of Medicaid reimbursement for LCPM services. Every birth attended by an LCPM represents a potential Medicaid savings since there is no facility fee or other fees associated with interventions like an epidural.
“We shouldn't penalize healthy women who choose to have an in-home birth attended by a midwife from receiving a benefit they would otherwise be eligible for,” said Funke Frommeyer. “While a fiscal note is attached to this legislation, it is less than half a million dollars.”
There are now 32 LCPMs around Kentucky and an increasing number of LCPM students are on their way to becoming licensed. SB 89 stipulates that "certified professional midwifery services" and "licensed certified professional midwife" have the same meaning as outlined in KRS 314.400.
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Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, represents the 24th Senate District, including Bracken, Campbell, and Pendleton Counties and part of Kenton County. She is a member of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue; Economic Development, Tourism and Labor; Education; and Health Services Committees. Frommeyer is also a Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee member. Additionally, she is a Budget Review Subcommittee co-chair on Justice and Judiciary.