Shapiro signs Cephas bill to strengthen doula services in Pa.
Rep. Morgan B. Cephas October 30, 2024 | 9:26 AM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday signed into law legislation authored by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., that would extend Medicaid coverage to doula services in the state.
Under the new law, introduced as H.B. 1608, Medicaid will reimburse certified doulas for providing childbirth education and support services, including physical and emotional support, during pregnancy, labor and delivery and up to one year postpartum.
“Research has shown that doula support leads to improved birth outcomes, including reduced rates of cesarean sections, shorter labor durations and higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. By providing continuous support throughout pregnancy and the important first year following birth, doulas contribute to safer and more positive experiences for families," Cephas said.
"Lack of coverage for doula services in Medicaid leads to a vast disparity in care for women who are already statistically at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, with Black birthing people at the highest risk of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This new law will give these parents a proven network of support needed to produce better mental and physical health outcomes during their birthing journey. I am grateful to my legislative colleagues and Governor Shapiro for finally making it reality.”
The law also establishes a Doula Advisory Board to set standards and requirements for doulas practicing in Pennsylvania. The board would include a diverse membership, including practicing providers and representatives from various state agencies.
Cephas first introduced the idea to include doula care in Medicaid in 2018, when she began to more vigorously put forward her work to improve maternal health outcomes through legislative remedy. Her bill signed today is part of the PA MOMNIBUS package of bills to improve maternal health outcomes for Pennsylvania moms and their babies. Earlier this month Shapiro signed another bill in the package (H.B. 2127) that enhances access to mental health care services for pregnant and postpartum patients.
Cephas is a co-chair of the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus, which introduced the PA MOMNIBUS and recently celebrated its one-year anniversary as a caucus. She said the caucus has worked hard to bring maternal health to the forefront, especially focusing on the issues affecting Black Pennsylvanians in their birthing experiences due to higher adverse health experiences because of implicit bias and racism in the U.S. healthcare system.
“I am so grateful to be part of such a dynamic and transformative group of legislators advocating for such important public policy,” Cephas said. “In this past year and budget season we’ve been able to secure over $25 million specifically for maternal health initiatives and get state money directly into the hands of organizations doing the important work of providing comprehensive physical and mental health care and support to Pennsylvanians before, during and after their birthing journeys.”
The House also approved legislation in the package that would expand Medicaid coverage of blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum enrollees (H.B. 2097), require insurance coverage for blood pressure monitors for home use as a pregnancy-related service for all Pennsylvanians (H.B. 2138) and establish a new state program to help ease the financial and emotional stress new moms and parents face by providing them with maternal and newborn supply kits and connecting them to additional support programs available at the state and county levels (H.B. 2137). Those bills remain in the Senate, where the outcome is uncertain as the current legislative session winds down.
“Ensuring the healthcare needs and rights of Pennsylvanians should be at the forefront of public policy in our legislature,” Cephas said. “We’re one year strong in the Black Maternal Health Caucus and with our MOMNIBUS package, and we look forward to another year of progress for maternal health in PA.”
More information on the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus and the PA MOMNIBUS can be found at pahouse.com/BMH.