Among the topics that were a focus area for legislators in 2024 is maternal health – both the troubling outcomes for mothers across the Commonwealth and tangible steps we can take to address these issues. Following SB 135 of 2023 which targeted maternal depression, and an administrative change that ensures mothers on Medicaid are covered for 12 months postpartum, the 2024 General Assembly focused on additional ways to keep moms and babies healthy.

HB 10, commonly referred to as the “Momnibus”, quickly garnered bipartisan support and grabbed headlines as it passed the House unanimously. This comprehensive bill included the establishment of the Kentucky Lifeline for Moms to support OBGYNs in addressing new moms’ mental health needs, ensured pregnancy is considered a qualifying event for insurance coverage, and expanded access to breastfeeding supports for new moms, and much more.

As HB 10 made its way through the House, SB 74 was doing the same in the Senate. This bill also had bipartisan support and aimed to create a collaborative panel to take a closer look at maternal and infant health in Kentucky and publish data to inform policy and practice decisions. After coming down to the final days of the 2024 legislative session, provisions from HB 10 were included in an amendment to SB 74 and ultimately passed and were signed into law by the governor.

Among the missed opportunities to advance health equity in 2024 is HB 199 – a priority on the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children which aimed to reduce barriers to establishing freestanding birth centers. Freestanding birth centers are small facilities that offer a home-like environment for low-risk prenatal and delivery care. Despite their success in states around the country, Kentucky has no freestanding birth centers, which is largely due to the Certificate of Need (CON) requirement currently in Kentucky law. HB 199 aimed to remove this requirement, which would pave the way for free standing birth centers to open in Kentucky and offer a safe, equitable alternative to hospital births. HB 199 successfully passed the House but failed to advance in the Senate.

Similarly in the Senate, SB 142 received bipartisan support but only advanced through one chamber. This bill would have guaranteed state employees have a leave of absence following the birth of a child, adoption, or new foster care placement. This would have been a huge step toward ensuring paid parental leave for more parents across Kentucky, but ultimately failed to advance through the House. Although it does not provide a guarantee of paid family leave for employees, HB 179 was successfully signed into law and allows employers to add paid family leave as a rider to their health insurance benefits.

As we reflect on the 2024 General Assembly and honor moms this Mother’s Day, there are important bills to celebrate – such as SB 74 – that will have a positive impact for mothers and their babies across the Commonwealth. But we know addressing the disparate maternal health outcomes in Kentucky will take a comprehensive approach and continued attention to ensure babies and their moms have the best chance to thrive.

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