Why Doula Care

Community doulas have the inherent local knowledge and understanding that enables them to provide equitable and culturally responsive care to pregnant people during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Multiple studies have shown that doula care can improve maternal and infant health outcomes; reduce preterm births and low birthweight infants; lower rates of cesarean sections; and increase rates of breastfeeding by amplifying pregnant people’s voices and listening to their needs.

Doula Medicaid Coverage Across the US

As of November 2022, more than half of all states are actively providing Medicaid coverage for doula services. Other states are in the process of implementing such coverage. And a few states are taking some statewide action to fight for coverage for doula services. Similarly, in late October 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that more than half of all states expanded access to 12 months of Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) coverage after pregnancy.

Expanding access to doula care for Medicaid enrollees, along with the extension of Medicaid postpartum coverage, are both key strategies for improving maternal health and addressing racial disparities in maternal health, mortality, and morbidity. Indeed, both strategies were highlighted in the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, released in June 2022. In 2019, the state of New Jersey began allowing Medicaid coverage for doulas, through NJ Family Care.

Click here to learn more about what this means for doula service providers.