Establishes a study regarding doula friendly work spaces

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic6
• Republican1

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Samra Brouk says this is needed

Maternal mortality has a devastating impact on the State of New York. Providing improved 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 popu- lation. A doula is a trained, non-clinical professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to a pregnant person before, during, and after childbirth. Doula friendly institutions consistently demonstrate support of the doula's role in its full scope and integrate doulas into the birthing team. Doula friendliness is grounded in policies and practices that reflect an understanding of the benefits of doula care, and actively create a space where patients, doulas, and clinicians collaborate to ensure the best birth and experience for the patient. 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 Designating Doula Friendly Spaces study and report would expand state knowledge of the ways doulas are(and are not) welcomed and respected as participants in birthing delivery teams in healthcare facilities across New York. The study would also allow New York to identify cultural and linguistic imbalances that may hinder the communication between doulas and birthing people and other members of a birthing delivery team that can result in the prevention of disrespectful interactions, bullying, and discrimi- nation from care providers. This study and proposal of recommendations for formal metrics for Doula Friendly Spaces would allow New York to develop strategies to more rigorously test and measure outcomes for a statewide doula friendly designation that would be relevant in facili- ties across the geographic diversity of the state. In light of New York's decision to add doula care benefits to its Medicaid program in 2024, creating respectful and collaborative work environments for doulas is of critical importance. The outcome of this study and recommendation efforts will be to encour- age and incentivise birthing delivery teams and healthcare facilities to better integrate doula care into standard birthing practices as a way to address and combat maternal health disparities throughout the state, particularly in the Medicaid population.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.