BILL NUMBER: S7779B
SPONSOR: BROUK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the creation of a
community doula expansion grant program; and to amend the state finance
law, in relation to the community doula expansion grant program fund
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To establish a Community Doula Expansion Fund grant program for eligible
providers to receive funding towards the training and/or certification
of community-based doulas who provide culturally sensitive pregnancy and
childbirth education and/or support, and/or funding for other community
doula organization functions that could include but are not limited to:
mentorship, peer support, professional development/continuing education,
apprentice programs, data collection, as well as other related start-up
costs associated with community doula organizations offering individual
doulas assistance with Medicaid program enrollment and Medicaid and
managed care organization (MCO) claims submission and claims denial
resolution.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. States the legislative findings of this bill.
Section 2. Amends Article 25 of the public health law by adding a new
title 6a which provides for the set up of a Community Doula Expansion
Program. The new title 6A will contain new sections 2593, 2593a, 2593b,
2593c. Section 2593 establishes the Community Doula Expansion Program.
Section 2593a provides the definitions for the new title. Section 2593b
provides the rules and regulations for the new title. Section 2593c
provides the details of the report for the program.
Section 3. Amends the state finance law by adding new section 99-rr to
establish a Community Doula Expansion Fund under joint custody between
the state comptroller and commissioner of taxation and finance.
Section 4. Establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Maternal mortality has devastating impacts on communities, children, and
families across New York State. Mortality as it relates to maternal
health is a public health crisis, as well as a human rights crisis.
According to recent reporting (2022) from the New York State Department
of Health, comparative to other states New York ranks 23rd in the nation
in maternal mortality.
Black women face more than five times the risk of mortality than white
women in New York. Data analysis by the New York State Department of
Health indicates that up to 78% of maternal deaths in this state are
preventable, and that racial discrimination plays a role in these nega-
tive health outcomes. The three most common causes of pregnancy-related
deaths for women in New York are embolism, hemorrhage, and mental health
conditions.
A doula is a trained, non-clinical professional who provides physical,
emotional, and informational support to a pregnant person before,
during, and after childbirth. Community doulas, in particular, are
trained to provide culturally sensitive pregnancy and childbirth educa-
tion that helps women navigate systems to connect to the services and
supports they need to be healthy. Providing better access to community
doula care and support services is a proven way to address maternal
morbidity and maternal mental health, and to reduce birth complications
for the mother and baby, particularly in vulnerable patient populations
like the Medicaid population.
Based on challenges identified during the New York State Doula Pilot
Program (2019-2023) and feedback offered by community doulas at the
(2023) New York State Department of Health's Doula Medicaid Services
Benefit Stakeholder Meetings, this Community Doula Expansion Fund will
create a grants program to build up community-based doula organizations
("eligible providers") to actively recruit, train, and support community
doulas to serve the Medicaid population. Without adequate state support
and funding, community doula organizations will be unable to effectively
implement programs that will truly make Medicaid doula services avail-
able to the most vulnerable populations in our state.
Community doulas best understand the scope and nature of doula work in
vulnerable Medicaid populations and must be consulted when structures
and processes for the state program are being implemented..A designated
grant program for the Community Doula Expansion Fund will secure funding
for the maintenance, recruitment, training, and administrative support
of this valuable workforce as it becomes an important tool in addressing
and combating maternal health disparities throughout the state.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day it shall have become a
law.