The State of New York will launch its Medicaid doula pilot expansion in Erie County and other parts of Kings County next year.
A doula is non-medical birth companion, who is trained to provide emotional, informational, and support to another woman before, during, or after childbirth. Research suggests that a doula helps increase positive health outcomes including reducing birth complications for the mother and the baby.
According to Governor Andrew Cuomo, the state’s Department of Health will start the doula pilot expansion on March 1, 2019. The department will commence the necessary training, outreach, and education efforts this month.
The doula pilot expansion is part of the governor’s multi-pronged initiative to reduce maternal mortality and racial disparities.
A crucial step to ensuring a safer and healthier New York
In a statement, Cuomo said, “Every New Yorker deserves a healthy childbirth experience regardless of ethnicity, birthplace or economic status.” He added that expanding access to doula services is important to lessening racial disparities in maternal death rates.
