1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; requiring the commissioner of human services to take certain 
1.3 	action to improve midwifery access; requiring recommendations.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. EXPANDING MIDWIFERY ACCESS.
 1.6 	(a) To improve maternal and infant health and birth outcomes in groups with the most 
1.7 	significant disparities, including Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, rural 
1.8 	communities, and people with low incomes, the commissioner of human services, in 
1.9 	partnership with patient groups, culturally based community organizations, and midwifery 
1.10 	providers, shall:
1.11 	(1) confer with commissioner of health to develop procedures and services designed for 
1.12 	making midwifery services available throughout Minnesota;
1.13 	(2) study payment reforms that would expand access to midwifery in Minnesota, including 
1.14 	a bundled payment for comprehensive maternity and newborn care episodes in Minnesota; 
1.15 	and
1.16 	(3) make recommendations on ways to promote and expand racial, ethnic, and language 
1.17 	diversity in the midwifery workforce that better aligns with the childbearing population in 
1.18 	groups with the most significant maternal and infant mortality and morbidity disparities.
1.19 	(b) The recommendations required by paragraph (a) shall be reported to the chairs and 
1.20 	ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health finance 
1.21 	and policy by December 31, 2021.