Community-based doulas are essential to ensuring that women and birthing people—especially those from Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities—receive equitable, culturally respectful, and holistic care. At HealthConnect One, we are committed to advancing policies that support the critical work of doulas through systemic change, especially via Medicaid reimbursement. During community-doula week, HC One partnered with Birth Matters, Ancient Song, Birth in Color, BMBFA, SisterWeb, and Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative to host a webinar to bring awareness to community-based doula sustainability.
Watch the Webinar here: Community-Based Doulas & Medicaid Reimbursement: Building Policy for Equity and Access
In this session, we brought together legislators, doulas, and healthcare advocates to explore how Medicaid reimbursement policies can be a powerful lever for expanding access to doula care. The conversation tackled key policy developments, systemic barriers, and real opportunities to support maternal and infant health through community-based approaches.
Legislative Recap What’s at Stake?
This webinar emphasized the need for systemic change through Medicaid policy to improve maternal and infant outcomes. Highlights included:
- The Mamas First Act, a federal bill aimed at expanding Medicaid coverage for doula and midwifery care.
- State-level wins in places like New York and Illinois, where Medicaid has begun covering doula services.
- Testimonies from community-based doulas on the impact of their work and the need for sustainable funding.
- The role of reimbursement parity and removing administrative burdens as barriers to access.
Three Tangible Actions You Can Take Today:
1. Contact Your Legislators to Support the Mamas First Act
This critical bill supports the inclusion of doula services under Medicaid and addresses the maternal mortality crisis. Find your representatives and urge them to co-sponsor and vote for the Mamas First Act.
Learn more about the bill
2. Advocate for State-Level Medicaid Expansion
Several states have made strides in covering doula services—others need a push. Contact your state legislators and share your support for Medicaid-funded doula care.
Check your state’s Medicaid doula coverage status
3. Educate Your Community on the Benefits of Doula Care
Awareness is a powerful tool. Many people still don’t know what doulas do or how impactful they are. Host a community talk, share a social media post, or invite a doula to speak at your local organization.
Together, We Can Build a More Equitable Maternal Health System
At HealthConnect One, we believe that policy change is only one piece of the puzzle—it’s people like you who help bring these changes to life. Supporting Medicaid reform to include doula care ensures that families across the country have access to compassionate, culturally competent support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Watch the full webinar here and share it with your networks.
Let’s act, amplify community voices, and ensure no birthing person is left without support.
Other Resources:
Doula Medicaid Reimbursement Storybook Video
Changing The Narrative: The Doula Medicaid Reimbursement Storybook