As Medicaid doula coverage expands nationwide, how states design certification and reimbursement pathways matters.
The Community-Based Birth Support Coalition has released a new positioning statement on New Hampshire’s Medicaid doula certification pathway and the importance of protecting equitable, community-rooted workforce pathways for doulas.
Community-based doulas play a critical role in advancing birth equity, improving maternal health outcomes, and supporting families through culturally responsive care. Policies intended to expand access must also ensure that reimbursement structures do not unintentionally create barriers for doulas trained through mentorship, lived experience, and community-based models.
The coalition supports Medicaid reimbursement, meaningful competency standards, and sustainable workforce development, while calling for policies shaped by the expertise of community-based doulas and the families they serve.