As infant mortality rates rose nationwide for the first time in decades, the New York State Department of Health is being tasked to create and maintain a New York directory of doulas, birthing experts who provide physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and after the child-birthing experience. Governor Kathy Hochul also announced that doula services will be covered for all Medicaid enrollees starting on January 1, 2024. The governor also highlighted that $4.5 million in annual funding for Regional Perinatal Centers has been allocated by the New York State Department of Health.
The legislation introduced Monday by Governor Hochul orders the New York State Department of Health (DOH) to establish and maintain a state community doula directory on the DOH website for the purposes of Medicaid reimbursement. This piece of legislation will promote doula services to Medicaid recipients and establish criteria for admittance into the New York State community doula directory.
Despite national data, New York State has made strides in decreasing the rate of infant deaths and is currently ranked 4th in the nation for lowest infant mortality rates. However, racial and geographic disparities reflect national trends – with Black infants almost three times as likely to die as White infants. The statewide maternal mortality rate peaked at 24.1 per 100,000 live births from 2008-2010, and in response, DOH created the Maternal Mortality Review Initiative (MMRI) to systematically review all New York State maternal deaths and develop strategies and interventions to decrease the risk of these deaths. As a result of these measures, New York State improved significantly in national rankings.
The FY23 State Budget allocated $4.5 million in annual funding to support the state’s Regional Perinatal Centers (RPCs), which are hospitals that provide the highest level of perinatal and infant care and serve as coordinating entities over their networks of affiliated birthing centers. RPCs provide oversight of their networks to identify areas for improvement, like additional provider training or enhanced protocols. Funding supports RPCs across the state as they convene key stakeholders to foster collaboration and referral and discuss regionally relevant topics of interest.
The legislation, sponsored by Senator Brouk and Assemblymember Solages, will go further to keep pregnant people safe by creating a publicly accessible ‘Doula Database’ which would support the growing number of New York State doulas working with pregnant people and their families. According to the American Pregnancy Association, “studies have shown that having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50 percent, and the length of labor by 25 percent.”
“Our maternal and infant mortality rates are a disgrace,” Governor Hochul said. “Expanding access to doula services is an effective, evidence-based strategy to support expectant parents and allow their babies to grow and thrive. As the first mom and grandma to serve as Governor of New York, I’m committed to doing everything in my power to tackle the disturbing rise in infant mortality.”
