The Farmers Granddaughter

In my last blog, I covered two other bills from Arkansas regarding coverage by Medicaid for Doulas in Arkansas.  This time I’m covering further big news from Arkansas – the state legislature has moved forward with House Bill 1252, the Certified Community-Based Doula Certification Act. This is a game-changer for doula care in our state, and here’s what it could mean for those of us committed to supporting mothers through their journey into parenthood.

What’s in the Bill?

Certification and Recognition:

• • Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 to become a certified community-based doula.

• • Certification Pathways: You can get certified through organizations designated by the Arkansas Department of Health or through the Doula Alliance of Arkansas. This gives us flexibility but also means we need to keep an eye on which organizations are recognized.

• • Certification Renewal:  Every two years, we’ll need to renew our certification with 10 hours of professional development. This commitment to growth is essential, but we must ensure that training remains accessible and relevant. Continuing education units (CEUs) are vital in any profession, and ours is no exception.

Scope of Practice:

• • The bill outlines what we can do – from childbirth education to advocacy, system navigation, resource connection, and providing continuous support during labor and intermittent support in the prenatal and postpartum phases. It’s comprehensive but leaves room for how these services might be interpreted in practice.

Compensation:

• • Finally, Recognition! The bill ensures that certified doulas will be compensated by both Medicaid and health benefit plans. This is huge for making doula care accessible to more families. However:
    • • The Fine Print: The exact services covered, especially in hospital settings, will be determined by future rules from the Department of Human Services. We need to stay involved to ensure these rules reflect the full spectrum of our work.
        The Doula Alliance of Arkansas is on top of this but it’s our job as Doula’s to be informed autonomously as well in order to provide excellence in care, and for those to be more than just buzzwords.

Registry for Doulas:

• • A public registry will be created, which could help families find certified doulas but it also means we’ll need to be mindful of privacy.

Accountability:

• • Certification can be suspended or revoked for unethical practices or non-compliance. While it’s good to have standards, They’ll want to ensure the process for handling such cases is fair and transparent.

Confidentiality:

• • Our work with families will be kept confidential under this bill, which is crucial for trust. However, we must be vigilant about understanding and adhering to these confidentiality rules to avoid any unintended breaches.

What Could Be Better?

• • Service Coverage: There’s some ambiguity in what services will be reimbursed, particularly in different birth settings. We’ll need to advocate for comprehensive coverage.

• • Professional Development: While it’s beneficial, we need to ensure the required training is accessible to all doulas, regardless of their background or location.

• • Certification Organizations:  Certification bodies must be inclusive and truly reflective of our diverse community. Bias of any kind cannot be tolerated. Our role is to support those who are expecting and to help new families navigate unfamiliar waters—but that commitment must be embraced from the top down. Only then can we create meaningful change in Arkansas, where maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain alarmingly high.

• • Compensation Details: The bill doesn’t specify rates, so we’ll need to push for fair compensation that reflects the value of our work.  We can’t be legislated into spending a lot of money for training and continued education, and then be placed into a position where we can’t afford to cover our own bills…

• • Implementation: With rules still to be set by the end of 2025, there’s a window for us to influence how this bill is put into action.

Next Steps for Doulas

• • Stay Engaged: Keep up with the rule-making process to advocate for comprehensive service coverage.

• • Advocate: Work with organizations like the Doula Alliance of Arkansas to ensure certification is accessible and fair.

• • Educate: Use this as an opportunity for professional growth, but also to educate families on what this means for doula care access.

This bill is a step in the right direction for doula recognition and support in Arkansas. It’s up to us to make sure it translates into real, tangible benefits for both doulas and the families we serve. Let’s keep the conversation going and make sure every mother who needs a doula can have one, supported by the new legislation that Governor Sanders has championed.

The Next Step for this Bill:
This bill has passed through and goes to the House committee for Public Health, Welfare, and Labor on Tuesday February 25.  Here is a list of members who are listed on the agenda for being on committee that day:

Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, Chair: Represents District 94.
Rep. Jeremy Wooldridge, Vice-Chair: Represents District 1.
Rep. Aaron Pilkington: Represents District 42.
Rep. Bart Schulz: Represents District 31.
Rep. Mark Perry: Represents District 66.
Rep. Kendra Moore: Represents District 23.
Rep. Stephen Magie: Represents District 56.
Rep. Lee Johnson: Represents District 47.
Rep. Ryan A. Rose: Represents District 48.
Rep. Jack Ladyman: Represents District 53.
Rep. Cameron Cooper: Represents District 44.
Rep. Zack Gramlich: Represents District 50.
Rep. Mary Bentley: Represents District 54.
Rep. Jay Richardson: Represents District 49.
Rep. Glenn Barnes: Represents District 65.
Rep. Kenneth B. Ferguson: Represents District 13.
Rep. Denise Jones Ennett: Represents District 80.
Rep. Dolly Henley: Represents District 32.
Rep. Fred Allen: Represents District 77.
Rep. Wayne Long: Represents District 39.

What YOU can do as a Doula or a family member who wants this to pass:  Pick up the phone and call your representative’s office if those listed are on it, and even if they aren’t – you can easily say you are a person who believes in this bill and the difference it will make in the lives of families in Arkansas.   HB1252 needs our support and the elected officials need to know what their constituents have to say on it.

As  doula of many years, I’ve got say there’s nothing more rewarding than being there for moms and families from pregnancy, through childbirth, and into those first precious weeks at home. Today, I’m excited to share some updates on how we’re working to make comprehensive doula services, including both prenatal and postpartum care, more accessible through Medicaid in Arkansas.

My Journey as a Doula

Why do I do this? From easing the nerves before labor to helping navigate the new world of parenthood, doulas like me provide a bridge of support that can transform the childbirth experience.  I started as a Doula at age 14, and now 42 years later I’m focusing solely on Doula care, in multiple capacities, as I know personally how beneficial it is to all parties involved.

What Doulas Do For Expecting/New Families

Let’s break it down:

• Prenatal Support: We’re there to educate, answer questions, and prepare you for birth. We help you understand your options, craft a birth plan, and even support physical comfort through pregnancy.
• Birth Support: During labor, we provide emotional support, physical comfort measures like massage, and advocacy to ensure your birth experience aligns with your wishes.
• Postpartum Care: After birth, we don’t just disappear. We help with breastfeeding, newborn care, emotional support, and the adjustment to life with a new baby. This phase is crucial, and we’re there to make sure you’re not alone and that you aren’t dealing with any issues that need to be escalated to a medical professional that you might have not realized were important.  So many women need a higher level of support during their postpartum period, but it goes unnoticed and that can create a waterfall of issues for them down the road.

The National Push for Doula Services

Here’s where we stand across the U.S.:

States with Implemented Medicaid Coverage for Doula Care:
– Florida
– Maryland
– Minnesota
– New Jersey
– Oregon
– Virginia
– Washington, D.C.
– Nevada
– Rhode Island
– Michigan

These states have realized the value of having a doula from pregnancy through postpartum.

In the Process of Implementing:
– California
– Illinois
-Arkansas
– Indiana
– Massachusetts
– Oklahoma

They’re working towards making doula services more accessible, recognizing the comprehensive support we offer.

Arkansas: Our Local Impact

In Arkansas, we’re making strides. The Doula Alliance of Arkansas advocates for Medicaid to cover all aspects of doula care. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders introduced the Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Act, which could mean comprehensive doula services under Medicaid (“Governor Sanders Announces Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Act”).

Local media has been highlighting our efforts, showing how doulas support families from start to finish (“Doula Alliance of Arkansas Advocates for Medicaid Coverage“).

Why This Matters to Our Community

As a doula in Central Arkansas, I see the need for this support every day.
When we talk about Medicaid covering doula services, we’re talking about making sure families get holistic support—from understanding pregnancy to thriving in the postpartum period. It’s about ensuring every family has the best start possible.

Yesterday’s Amazing News
HB 1427 is now in “To Be Enrolled” status.  “To Be Enrolled” indicates that the legislative process is nearly complete, with only the formalities of preparing the bill for the Governor’s desk remaining.  I’ll be watching that closely on behalf of Bright Blessings, and will be reporting further on what this means for families in the entire state, not just in Central Arkansas.

The Path Forward

We’re on an exciting journey, but there’s more to do. If you’re passionate about this, let’s keep the momentum going. Support the Doula Alliance, talk to your local representatives, and spread awareness about the full spectrum of doula care. Every step we take means more families can benefit from the support they need at every stage.

I’m proud to be part of this community, providing comprehensive doula care in Central Arkansas, and I’m excited about the future where every family can access the support they deserve, from pregnancy to post-birth.