New York Governor, Kathy Hocul, has signed new legislation making doula care accessible. The new bill allows doula services to be covered for all Medicaid enrollees starting on Jan. 1, 2024
Currently, patients of doulas can only pay out of pocket, with costs that range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. However, with the new legislation, Medicaid will cover $1,325 for the Upstate region and $1500 for NYC across the five boroughs. Additionally, the bill directs the New York State Department of Health to create and maintain a New York directory of doulas, birthing experts who provide physical, emotional and informational support before, during, and after the child-birthing experience.
“Our maternal and infant mortality rates are a disgrace,” Gov. Hochul said at a press conference. “Expanding access to doula services is an effective, evidence-based strategy to support expectant parents and allow their babies to grow and thrive. As the first mom and grandma to serve as Governor of New York, I’m committed to doing everything in my power to tackle the disturbing rise in infant mortality.”
The Need for Doula Care in New York
According to the state’s maternal mortality review board, out of all births in New York, 46 percent are covered by Medicaid, and more than 65 percent of those births are to Black women. Black women are five times more likely to die from a pregnancy complication than their white counterparts. 46 percent of those deaths are directly linked to discrimination and more than three quarters were declared preventable.
This new legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Samra Brouk. Brouk was inspired to take the lead due to her experiences becoming a mother with a doula by her side.
“I’m the second person to give birth while serving as a State Senator in NY’s history. The first one was decades ago and so we need more of that,” Brouk explained.
“We have our first female Governor who’s a mother and a grandmother, signing this bill today, the assembly sponsor is a mother of mulitple children. We have all witnessed and experienced what it means to give birth in this state and that also qualifies us to be able to put forward legislation like this, to make sure that every birthing person has the experience they deserve” she added.
According to Brouk, the bill is now in law and the Department of Health will start creating this directory. The DOH will begin building the infrastructure for Medicaid reimbursement so that starting in 2024 it will go into effect for anyone under Medicaid who receives doula care in the state.