10 hours ago - News
Louisiana expands Medicaid doula care coverage
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Louisiana joined more than half of U.S. states earlier this year in requiring Medicaid to cover doula care.
Why it matters: The once-niche birth option is shown to support lower cesarean rates and fewer preterm births.
By the numbers: 26 states and D.C. are actively reimbursing for Medicaid coverage of doula care, according to the National Health Law Program.
- Before 2020, only Oregon and Minnesota offered Medicaid coverage for doula care — that's "a lot of progress" in a few years, says Amy Chen, senior attorney at the National Health Law Program.
Catch up quick: Louisiana became only the second state to require private insurance to cover doula care beginning in 2024.
- The legislation was penned by then-State Rep. Matthew Willard.
A doula is a trained birth support professional who offers emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor and postpartum.
- They may deliver affirmations, help with position changes in labor and advocate for the patient in the hospital says Nicole Sessions, an experienced doula and maternal mental health researcher.