Care and Coverage: The Importance of Doulas and Medicaid in the U.S.
Doulas, a non-medical birth professional, provide emotional, physical and social support and guidance through different aspects of sexual and reproductive health-- including labor and delivery, the prenatal and postpartum period, and during abortion care, miscarriage, or stillbirth. Amy Chen, Senior Attorney at the National Health Law Program, sits down to talk with us about the importance and benefits of doulas, Medicaid coverage of this care, and the challenges the U.S. faces in getting closer to a more supported, equitable birthing reality.
Benefits of doula care include lower rates of low-birth-weight babies, lower rates of cesarian delivery, and higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. Doulas can also help reduce racial disparities in care, particularly for those who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). One of the core goals of increasing doula care surrounds the current Black maternal health crisis in the United States; doulas can provide support and act as an advocate when a patient faces individual, structural, or institutional racism.
States, health plans, and employers have shown increasing interest in expanding and implementing access to doula care. Across the country, Medicaid covers close to half of all births. Over the past five years, 25 states and Washington D.C. have implemented Medicaid coverage of doulas, with half a dozen states in the process of implementation.
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE
National Health Law Program
National Health Law Program on Facebook
National Health Law Program on Bluesky
Doula Medicaid Project
Doula Medicaid Interactive Map
Best Practices for Medicaid Coverage of Doula Care
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Transcript
Jennie: Welcome to rePROs Fight Back, a podcast on all things related to sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice. [music intro]
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Follow National Health Law Program on Facebook and Bluesky.
Find out what doula access looks like in your state! Access the Doula Medicaid Project here. You can also find the Doula Medicaid Interactive Map here. Reach out to doulas, doula coalitions, and doula groups in your state that could use your time or resources.
Consider speaking to your legislators about doula care. When advocating to your legislators, continue to uplift the importance of doula care particularly for BIPOC communities.