Two bills that would have required private insurance companies in Virginia to provide state-certified doula care were unanimously rejected last week by members of both houses of Congress, instead calling for an investigation into the proposals.
The bill is now set to be submitted to the Senate Health Insurance Reform Committee. Responsible for research on mandated health insurance benefits.
Rep. Nadarius Clarke (D-Portsmouth) and Sen. Jennifer Boisko (D-Fairfax) identical bill As a way to reduce maternal mortality and alleviate some of the disparities in care received by women of color and white women during and after pregnancy. the study Doulas (non-medical professionals trained to provide a wide range of support services during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period) have been shown to significantly improve parent-child outcomes, especially in low-income and minority populations.
2020, General Assembly passed legislation This means doulas must complete training approved by the Virginia Board of Health.
This year’s Clark and Boisko legislation requires at least eight doula visits for pregnant women during and after pregnancy, as well as a private health plan that includes obstetric services to cover support during labor and delivery.
The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates compared to other developed nations, Boisko told the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee last week. Black women are almost three times more likely than non-Hispanic white women to die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“There is a great deal of data and research showing that providing doula care provides significant benefits and cost savings,” Clark billed.
Clark said in an interview that he had complications during his own birth and he is still in pain.
“We know there are still unspoken biases and different things in our prenatal care and health care systems,” he said.
In 2020, the general meeting was approved after deliberation by the Health Insurance Reform Committee. legislation Make state-approved doulacare available to Medicaid users.
Virginia currently has 87 state-certified doulas, and nearly 100 Medicaid members have received doula services to date, Rebecca Dooley, communications director for the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, said in an email. I’m here.
Douglas Gray, of the Virginia Health Planning Association, told the House subcommittee on commerce and energy last week, “Normally in the world of commerce, there are people who are licensed, not certified, so how does this work? We need to talk about whether it works,” he said.
The State Business Commission and the Virginia Department of Insurance will conduct a preliminary analysis of the costs and benefits of private insurance coverage for doulas before the Health Insurance Reform Commission holds public hearings on the proposal, said HIRC Chairman Sen. said Dave Wesolowski, chief of staff at George Barker, D-Alexandria, via e-mail.
“By opening this door and allowing doula care to be covered by private insurance,” Clark said, Virginia “will finally start providing care to people who haven’t spoken up.” I can do it,” he said.
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