DOULA for VA Act of 2023

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Last action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.Nov 27, 2023

Lead sponsor

Donald Davis

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

The bill establishes a new federal service for pregnant veterans, authorizing funding for up to 10 doula sessions per veteran at a maximum cost of $3,500 per doula, which could change how maternity care is delivered and coordinated within the VA system.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Pregnant and postpartum veterans

They are eligible to receive up to 10 sessions of doula care under the pilot program.

Doulas

They may participate as service providers and must undergo specific training regarding military sexual trauma and PTSD.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The agency is required to establish, administer, and fund the pilot program and report results to Congress.

What changed

Current stage: in_committee.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to launch a five-year pilot program providing doula support services to pregnant and postpartum veterans. The program aims to improve maternal and mental health outcomes by integrating doulas into the VA's existing 'Whole Health' care model.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the doula pilot program?

Eligible participants are 'covered veterans,' defined as pregnant or postpartum veterans enrolled in the VA patient enrollment system.

What does a doula do under this program?

A doula acts as an advocate for the veteran, working alongside the medical team to provide support during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period.

Can I have my doula sessions via video?

Yes, the bill specifies that postpartum sessions may be conducted via the mobile application.

Why It Matters

The bill establishes a new federal service for pregnant veterans, authorizing funding for up to 10 doula sessions per veteran at a maximum cost of $3,500 per doula, which could change how maternity care is delivered and coordinated within the VA system.

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Expansion of Maternity Support

The bill marks a shift toward integrating non-clinical support (doulas) into the VA's 'Whole Health' model to address specific mental health and birth outcomes for women veterans.

Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration