Healthy Community

Doula Task Force

Description

In 2019, the United Way’s Starting Line Healthy Births Coalition created the Doula Task Force after the NYS Department of Health created a pilot to reimburse doula care for Medicaid eligible members in Erie County. Doula services have been shown to improve birth outcomes, and is considered a best practice in our efforts to address disproportionate health outcomes for African American mothers and their infants.

Members of the coalition were concerned because the pilot was only functioning in Erie County and the state had limited resources available to support doulas enrolled in the program. United Way used coalition relationships with March of Dimes, local health systems and health insurers to overcome significant barriers that arose during the pilot. These included denials of Medicaid reimbursement and lack of access to Labor & Delivery. Coalition partners engaged in statewide advocacy efforts to expand the program statewide.

A new Task Force is being formed to continue Doula support along with creating new strategies to help maternal infant health organizations take full advantage of the NYS Medicaid 1115 waiver. Over $36.8 million has been awarded to the WNY Integrated Care Collaborative (United Way is a founding member of this organization) to contract with and reimburse community-based organizations for delivering transportation, nutrition and housing services to Medicaid eligible members. Building awareness and capacity of nonprofit agencies serving pregnant and parenting families to participate in this exciting opportunity is our goal for the expanded initiative.

The Impact

The Task Force was successful in recruiting Doulas to provide care before, during and after pregnancy and Medicaid patients to access the support. By February 2024, 55 Doulas enrolled in the pilot program and 1,100 families accessed services. In addition, 95% of participants said a Doula improved/ somewhat improved their childbirth experience and 93% rated their Doula as good or excellent. Beginning March 1, 2024, doula services are a Medicaid benefit for pregnant families throughout New York State.