HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	6
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES MED-QUEST DIVISION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, TO EXPAND THE TYPES OF QUALIFIED PROVIDERS ALLOWED TO PROVIDE LACTATION CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE MEDICAID POPULATION IN THE STATE.

WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breastfeeding has health benefits for babies and mothers, as breast milk provides a baby with ideal nutrition, supports growth and development, and can also help protect the baby and mother against certain illnesses and diseases; and

WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about six months then continued breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods until a child is twelve months or older; and

WHEREAS, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, includes guidelines for coverage of breastfeeding support and counseling; and

WHEREAS, a lactation consultant is a certified health professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding and is trained to assist mothers in preventing and solving breastfeeding difficulties, such as sore nipples and low milk supply; and

WHEREAS, lactation consultants commonly work in hospitals, physician or midwife practices, public health programs, and private practice; and

WHEREAS, lactation consultants in the United States are often nurses, midwives, nurse practitioners, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals who have obtained additional certification through the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners or operate as Certified Lactation Counselors; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's QUEST Integration Program, which provides eligible low-income adults and children access to health and medical coverage through managed care plans, does not currently allow all qualified providers who have obtained International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners certification or Certified Lactation Counselor certification to provide lactation consultant services; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's Medicaid population would greatly benefit from increased access to lactation consultant services to assist breastfeeding mothers; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, is requested to expand the types of qualified providers allowed to provide lactation consultant services for the Medicaid population in the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division is requested to take any steps necessary to obtain necessary approvals, create internal processes, and expand access to appropriate providers who have obtained International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners certification; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division is requested to submit a report to the Legislature on the steps taken and progress made in expanding the types of providers who can provide lactation consultant services no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services, Director of Health, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Administrator of the Med-QUEST Division.

Report Title:

Med-QUEST; Department of Human Services; Lactation Consultant; Medicaid; Access