Oregon Expands Lactation Coverage: What SB 1568 Means for IBCLCs, Lactation Professionals, and Medicaid

Oregon has once again positioned itself as one of the nation’s leaders in expanding access to lactation care.

With the passage of Senate Bill 1568, Oregon is taking another significant step toward improving access to breastfeeding support by requiring Medicaid and many commercial health plans to cover services provided by registered lactation counselors without unnecessary barriers. While much of the discussion surrounding the bill has focused on who may qualify, it is important to understand that many of the implementation details have not yet been determined.

Oregon Was Already Ahead of Many States

Unlike most states, Oregon has long recognized International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) through a state licensure program. Qualified IBCLCs may obtain an Oregon Lactation Consultant license regardless of whether they hold another healthcare license such as an RN.

In addition, Oregon Medicaid has already covered lactation services in certain circumstances through existing Medicaid enrollment pathways.

SB 1568 does not create Oregon’s IBCLC license. Instead, it creates a new framework for lactation counselors, a separate category that will be defined through future rulemaking.

What SB 1568 Changes

Beginning with Medicaid contracts and applicable health plans issued, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2028, the law requires:

● Coverage for services provided by registered lactation counselors.

● No referral from another healthcare provider.

● No physician signature requirement.

● Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) to make information about accessing lactation counselors readily available to Medicaid members.

● The Oregon Health Authority to periodically review Medicaid reimbursement rates for lactation counselors to help support a sustainable workforce.

● The Traditional Health Workers Commission to establish a voluntary registration system, continuing education requirements, and standards of practice for lactation counselors.

The Most Important Detail Has Yet to Be Decided

One of the most significant changes made during the legislative process was removing the statutory definition of “lactation counselor.”

Earlier versions of the bill tied that definition to a specific national credential. The final law instead directs the Traditional Health Workers Commission to define who qualifies as a lactation counselor through administrative rulemaking.

This means the law does not currently specify which credentials will qualify.

Questions that remain unanswered include:

● Will Oregon recognize one or more existing national lactation counseling credentials?

● Will licensed IBCLCs automatically qualify?

● Will additional education or competency standards be required?

● Will providers need to obtain a new Oregon registration regardless of their current credential?

● Could the Commission create a broader or narrower definition than many stakeholders expect?

Until the Commission publishes proposed rules, these questions remain open.

What This Means for IBCLCs

The legislation does not replace Oregon’s existing IBCLC licensure program.

Instead, Oregon will now have two separate regulatory frameworks:

● Licensed Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) under Oregon’s existing licensure law.

● Registered Lactation Counselors under the new Traditional Health Worker framework created by SB 1568.

How these two pathways will interact has not yet been fully defined.

SunShyn’s Take

SB 1568 is an exciting step toward expanding access to lactation care, but it is not the final chapter.

The legislation establishes the framework, while the upcoming rulemaking will determine who is eligible to register as a lactation counselor and ultimately provide services under the new law.

For that reason, we encourage providers to avoid assuming the law automatically applies to any particular credential until Oregon publishes its proposed rules.

SunShyn Credentialing & Medical Billing will continue monitoring the rulemaking process and will provide updates as additional guidance becomes available.