The Abortion DOULAS Act would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study the benefits of abortion doula care and the potential for coverage of such care. Abortion doula care is defined as non-clinical, trained professionals who provide emotional, informational, practical, and advocacy support before, during, and after abortion services. The bill recognizes that doulas may work in diverse settings and that evidence on abortion-specific doula care is limited, especially in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision. The act would direct data collection, expert input, and a public report to assess benefits, feasibility, and policy options for integrating abortion doula care into Medicaid and other coverage programs. The study would gather information from patients, families, practicing doulas, and healthcare providers; review existing literature; and ensure privacy protections for participants. The resulting report, due within 18 months, would include recommendations to expand access—particularly in underserved or rural areas—and provide policy options to states for incorporating abortion doula care into Medicaid (Title XIX) plans or waivers, with a public version posted online.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a federal study to evaluate the benefits of abortion doula care and the feasibility of coverage under public programs.
- 2Provides a definition of abortion doula care as non-clinical, trained professionals offering emotional, social, informational, practical support, and advocacy around abortion care.
- 3Requires data collection from patients, families, doulas, and providers, including those in states where abortion doula care is covered by Medicaid waivers, while protecting patient privacy.
- 4Mandates a public, 18-month-report with policy recommendations to increase access and to guide states on integrating abortion doula care into Medicaid plans or waivers (Title XIX), including coverage, eligibility, and payment considerations.
- 5Emphasizes consideration of the needs of marginalized communities and the potential role of doulas in helping navigate misinformation, stigma, and access barriers post-Dobbs.