Medical Assistance Reimbursement for Doula Services
December 7, 2022 10:07 AM to All Senate Members
Circulated By
Senator Judith Schwank
D Senate District 11
Memo
In the near future, I will be reintroducing SB360 from last session. This bill would extend Medicaid coverage to Doulas.
Over 193,000 Pennsylvanians live in maternity care deserts, which are counties with a significant lack of maternal health care. People who are pregnant or recently gave birth in these areas lacking obstetricians, hospitals with delivery units, or birth centers face a greater risk of poor maternal and infant health outcomes, including death.
In an effort to reduce the maternal mortality rates in Pennsylvania, it is imperative to expand access to maternal health care. Doulas are trained professionals who provide physical and emotional support to pregnant and birthing persons during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Women have reported greater satisfaction with the birthing experience when accompanied by a doula and have less need for medical interventions during the birth process. Increasing access to doula services will improve the health outcomes for many birthing people, especially those in counties that lack medical access.
I hope that you will join me in sponsoring this legislation.
This is a companion to HB1175 of 2021-22, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Cephas.
Previous co-sponsors were Senators Costa, Hughes, Fontana, Kearney, Street, Collett, Santarsiero, Tartaglione, Brewster, Boscola, Kane, Muth, Cappelletti, Flynn, Comitta, and L. Williams.
Over 193,000 Pennsylvanians live in maternity care deserts, which are counties with a significant lack of maternal health care. People who are pregnant or recently gave birth in these areas lacking obstetricians, hospitals with delivery units, or birth centers face a greater risk of poor maternal and infant health outcomes, including death.
In an effort to reduce the maternal mortality rates in Pennsylvania, it is imperative to expand access to maternal health care. Doulas are trained professionals who provide physical and emotional support to pregnant and birthing persons during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Women have reported greater satisfaction with the birthing experience when accompanied by a doula and have less need for medical interventions during the birth process. Increasing access to doula services will improve the health outcomes for many birthing people, especially those in counties that lack medical access.
I hope that you will join me in sponsoring this legislation.
This is a companion to HB1175 of 2021-22, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Cephas.
Previous co-sponsors were Senators Costa, Hughes, Fontana, Kearney, Street, Collett, Santarsiero, Tartaglione, Brewster, Boscola, Kane, Muth, Cappelletti, Flynn, Comitta, and L. Williams.
Legislation
Document - Introduced as SB 335
Medical Assistance Reimbursement for Doula Services
December 7, 2022 10:07 AM to All Senate Members
Circulated By
SCHWANK
Memo
In the near future, I will be reintroducing SB360 from last session. This bill would extend Medicaid coverage to Doulas.
Over 193,000 Pennsylvanians live in maternity care deserts, which are counties with a significant lack of maternal health care. People who are pregnant or recently gave birth in these areas lacking obstetricians, hospitals with delivery units, or birth centers face a greater risk of poor maternal and infant health outcomes, including death.
In an effort to reduce the maternal mortality rates in Pennsylvania, it is imperative to expand access to maternal health care. Doulas are trained professionals who provide physical and emotional support to pregnant and birthing persons during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Women have reported greater satisfaction with the birthing experience when accompanied by a doula and have less need for medical interventions during the birth process. Increasing access to doula services will improve the health outcomes for many birthing people, especially those in counties that lack medical access.
I hope that you will join me in sponsoring this legislation.
This is a companion to HB1175 of 2021-22, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Cephas.
Previous co-sponsors were Senators Costa, Hughes, Fontana, Kearney, Street, Collett, Santarsiero, Tartaglione, Brewster, Boscola, Kane, Muth, Cappelletti, Flynn, Comitta, and L. Williams.
Over 193,000 Pennsylvanians live in maternity care deserts, which are counties with a significant lack of maternal health care. People who are pregnant or recently gave birth in these areas lacking obstetricians, hospitals with delivery units, or birth centers face a greater risk of poor maternal and infant health outcomes, including death.
In an effort to reduce the maternal mortality rates in Pennsylvania, it is imperative to expand access to maternal health care. Doulas are trained professionals who provide physical and emotional support to pregnant and birthing persons during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Women have reported greater satisfaction with the birthing experience when accompanied by a doula and have less need for medical interventions during the birth process. Increasing access to doula services will improve the health outcomes for many birthing people, especially those in counties that lack medical access.
I hope that you will join me in sponsoring this legislation.
This is a companion to HB1175 of 2021-22, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Cephas.
Previous co-sponsors were Senators Costa, Hughes, Fontana, Kearney, Street, Collett, Santarsiero, Tartaglione, Brewster, Boscola, Kane, Muth, Cappelletti, Flynn, Comitta, and L. Williams.
Document
Introduced as SB 335
Generated 04/22/2025 08:15 AM