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NYC Mayor Initiatives to Improve Maternal Health
In March of 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a broad effort to address maternal and infant health disparities and mortality rates rooted in racism and community disinvestment. The announcement included three programs: Citywide Doula Initiative The Midwifery Initiative Maternity Hospital Quality Improvement Network (MHQIN) The Citywide Doula Initiative alone aims to train…
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Tennessee Senate Unanimously passes Bill to address Infant and Maternal Mortality
SB 2150, as amended, was passed by the Tennessee Senate on March 28, 2022. The bill requires the Department of Health to “study existing doula certification programs.” Specifically the Department is directed to review training and quality requirements of doula certifications and consider recommendations regarding doula services for populations most at risk for poor perinatal…
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Missouri seeks to Fund Doula Training through the State Budget
Last week the Missouri House of Representatives sent a budget bill to the Senate that includes $500,000 in funding for a statewide doula training program. The funding places the Department of Health and Human Services in charge of overseeing the doula training program and details on disbursement of funds is still being “ironed out.” The…
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U.S. Senators Proposed Bill to Combat Maternal Mortality
Three days ago, on Friday, April 15, 2022, three U.S. Senators and five Representatives proposed the Mamas First Act to address maternal mortality. The bill expands Medicaid to include doula, midwifery, and tribal midwifery services for Medicaid recipients. Senator Booker, who also proposed the MOMMIES Act which sought to expand Medicaid eligibility to a year…
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U.S. DHHS makes $4.5 million Available to Increase Community-based Doulas
On April 1, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), made $4.5 million available “for hiring, training, certifying, and compensating community-based doulas in areas with high rates of adverse maternal and infant health outcomes.” This funding is intended to expand the Healthy Start program…
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Washington State Enacts State Certification as stepping stone to Medicaid Reimbursement
Governor Inslee signs HB 1881 creating a voluntary certification process for doulas. Two years ago the Governor included in the 2020 Supplemental Budget a requirement that the Washington State Healthcare authority reimburse services provided by doulas. Initial steps were taken by Health Care Authority when it filed a statement of inquiry in August 2020, but…
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San Diego County Supervisors Approve Doula Pilot Program
A California county board hopes to address birthing health disparities for BIPOC individuals through a pilot program funding doula services and training. On March 1, 2022, the San Diego Board of supervisors approved a $400,000 doula pilot program. The proposal recognizes the findings by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that “Black birthing people are…
