Shapiro Administration announces expansion of access to doulas through change in medicaid, highlights budget investments to improve maternal health

LANCASTER, PA, March 26, 2024 - Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh and Department of Health (DOH) Acting Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen today visited Patients R Waiting to discuss the Shapiro Administration’s recent work to address maternal health disparities through expanded Medicaid access to doulas.

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Secretary Arkoosh and Acting Secretary Boden also stressed the importance of doulas as part of care teams for historically underserved populations and to highlighted investments in Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 Budget that address the national trend of rising pregnancy-associated deaths.

Pennsylvania’s recent expansion in Medicaid creates a path for doulas to become certified providers, increasing women’s access to doulas as part of their care teams and helping to improve birth outcomes in Pennsylvania.

“Pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum periods are exciting but often stressful times for a new parent and easing barriers to the incredible physical, emotional, and educational support that doulas provide can improve outcomes for both moms and babies,” said Secretary Arkoosh. “By increasing access to doulas for Medicaid recipients giving birth, we recognize the important contribution doulas make in the continuum of prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care and are taking another significant step to improving health outcomes for mothers, babies, and communities more broadly.”