Section 443.15 - [See Note] Medical Assistance Coverage for Doula Services(a) Subject to Federal approval, doula services are compensable under the medical assistance program for eligible and enrolled medical assistance recipients during pregnancy, labor and delivery and up to one year postpartum.(b) The department shall establish a Doula Advisory Board to advise the secretary regarding the following: (1) Doula best practices.(2) Doula participation in the medical assistance program.(3) Racial and geographic disparities in the provision of maternal health services.(4) Best practices to promote uniform access to care.(c) The Doula Advisory Board shall include the following:(2) A representative from the Department of State.(3) A representative from the Office of Medical Assistance Programs within the department.(4) A representative from the Bureau of Family Health within the Department of Health.(5) A representative from the Office of Health Equity within the Department of Health.(6) A representative from a nationally recognized doula organization.(7) A doula practicing in this Commonwealth.(8) A member of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee established under the act of May 9, 2018 (P.L.118, No. 24), known as the Maternal Mortality Review Act.(9) A physician, licensed as a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine under the laws of this Commonwealth, who practices in the field of obstetrics and gynecology and is a member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society.(10) As deemed appropriate by the department, any other residents of this Commonwealth who represent the diverse demographics of Pennsylvania.(d) The department shall seek a State plan amendment or Federal waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, if needed, for provision of doula services under the medical assistance program.(e) As used in this section, the term "doula" shall mean a professional trained to provide physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and after childbirth.Added by P.L. (number not assigned at time of publication) 2024 No. 115,§ 1, eff. .Section 5 of the enacting legislation provides that the section shall take effect as follows: (1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), the addition of section 443.15 of the act shall take effect 30 days following publication of the notice under section 2 of this act. (2) The addition of section 443.15(b) and (c) of the act shall take effect immediately.