The Public Justice Center, along with the Reproductive Health Equity Alliance of Maryland, is advocating for SB 914 / HB 1067 to expand doula care to low-income people and people of color to help reduce Maryland’s Black maternal mortality rate and reduce racial disparities in maternal health outcomes.
Doulas provide information and support for pregnant women during pregnancy, birth, and after delivery. Doulas are also associated with lower cesarean rates, shorter labor, and improved health outcomes for pregnant individuals and their babies.
SB 914/HB 1067 would create a workgroup to study issues around doula Medicaid reimbursement as well as voluntary doula certification. The bill would also require the Department of Health to develop a state-wide voluntary doula certification program if the Advisory Group recommends it.
HB 1067 will be heard in the House Health and Government Operations Committee on March 6, and SB 914 will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee on March 10. Urge your legislators to pass SB 914/HB 1067 so that Maryland can expand access to doula care and eliminate racial disparities in birth outcomes! Find your legislators here.
