The United States faces a growing crisis in maternal and infant mortality. The country fares worse than any economically comparable nation despite spending nearly twice as much on health care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that as many as two thirds of these deaths are preventable. Of the greatest concern is the staggering racial and ethnic disparities in these numbers.
One approach to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and address these historic inequities is to include payment for birth doula care in Medicaid programs. Because Medicaid pays for almost half of all births, Medicaid coverage provides an opportunity to reach many families who might not otherwise have access to this service. To learn about how some states are addressing this issue as well as considerations for policymakers approaching doula legislation and implementation, read the brief below.
Download here: Promoting Maternal and Child Health Through State Medical Coverage for Doula Care
