[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 102 (Thursday, July 9, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7320-S7321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mr. Begich):
  S. 1423. A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to 
require coverage under the Medicaid Program for freestanding birth 
center services; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Medicaid 
Birth Center Reimbursement Act, which would help ensure that birth 
centers across our country can continue to provide quality and 
affordable care to thousands of mothers and newborns each year.
  There are almost 200 birth centers nationwide that provide quality 
and cost effective health care services, particularly for low-income 
families. Since 1987, birth centers have participated in Medicaid, but 
recently the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS, has begun 
to cut off access to these providers in several States including 
Alaska, South Carolina, Texas and Washington State--because the agency 
lacks clear statutory authority to pay birth centers to care for 
Medicaid patients.
  Although this problem has not yet affected my home State of 
California, if this policy is not reversed before the State begins to 
renegotiate its Medicaid plan, the same cuts will be forced on birth 
centers in California. Without reimbursement from Medicaid, birth 
centers in all States could be pushed to the brink of closure and 
thousands of low-income women could lose access to these vital 
services.
  At a time when Congress and the administration are working hard to 
increase access to health care for all Americans, we cannot afford to 
close birth centers that provide essential services to thousands of 
women and newborns every year.
  At a time when Congress and the administration are working hard to 
reduce waste, and cut down on costs in our nation's health care system, 
we cannot afford to cut off access to such cost-effective maternity 
care.
  The cost of care at birth centers is about $1,900 per birth, compared 
to an estimated $7,400 at hospitals. Right now as much as 27 percent of 
hospital charges under Medicaid go towards care for mothers and newborn 
infants. Just imagine how much unnecessary spending could be saved if 
more women were given the choice of going to a birth center to have 
their baby.
  Cutting off access to birth centers that provide quality, cost-
effective care is a step backward.

[[Page S7321]]

  Taking away choices from pregnant women trying to get essential 
health care services is a step backward.
  As I work with my colleagues to help push for comprehensive health 
reform, I urge them to join me in cosponsoring the Medicaid Birth 
Center Reimbursement Act, and taking an important step forward for 
mothers and newborns across our nation.
  I would also like to thank Reps. Susan Davis and Gus Bilirakis, who 
have championed this legislation in the House. I hope that this 
important legislation can be included in the health care reform efforts 
of the 111th Congress.
                                 ______