Update
I am writing today with an update on House Bill A00364B, Senate Bill S03344-B
We have great news for doulas: Governor Cuomo has vetoed the NY doula bill today. After many doulas reached out to Gov. Cuomo and to the sponsors of this bill, the sponsors approach Cuomo and recommended that he veto it in favor of making changes to it before passing the bill. Thank you to our representatives who heard doulas out. We appreciate the representatives open to dialoge
Being open to starting a dialogue before passing any laws surrounding doula support is appreciated.
IDI’s Response To Bill S03344-B
Dear Governor Cuomo,
On June 18, 2019, the doula profession became aware of that New York Legislators approved the House Bill A00364B and its counterpart in the Senate S03344-B.
While the doula profession commends New York state for attempting to address maternity care, unfortunately, we have concerns. We appreciate you seeing the serious impact of poor maternal and fetal health outcomes, especially in relation to racial disparities. Poor outcomes also impact our society. However, we have major concerns about some of the chosen language in the bill.
We would like to invite you, Governor Cuomo and all sponsors of this bill, into a conversation. Let’s discuss how to achieve these important goals. We need to see how doulas can be a part of this. But, without inadvertently having an adverse effect on doulas and the community. We know that you are trying to help, let’s be sure this bill is helpful.
Times Have Changed
In the passed, women supported other women from the start of labor through the postpartum period. Eventually, modern obstetrics became the norm. Giving birth in a hospital with only the support of staff became the social norm for birth.
In just a few generations, women lost continuous labor support. Our current maternal health statistics reflect the lack of proper and continuous support for laboring and postpartum women.
Doulas, professional labor support, have sought to be part of the solution to poor maternal health outcomes and increased risks related to racial disparities.
We strongly believe every woman who desires a doula for continuous labor support be given access to one. Unfortunately, there are many circumstances which funds simply aren’t available.
Once again, we commend the effort to find a solution to grant more access to doula support, which is proven to improve outcomes, but we must address some concerns. Concerns which we feel could further limit access to doula care.
Our concerns about Bill S03344-B include:
The Concerning Definition of ‘Certified Doula’
The current language is concerning. It reads: “It provides the definitions of certified doulas and certified doula services and states that only a doula certified under this article shall be authorized to use the title of certified doula.”
Currently, the United States does not regulate doulas. Several training and certification agencies exist to help bring a level of professionalism and education to the doula community.
Women certified by training organizations regularly refer to themselves as certified doulas as they have completed professional, peer-approved requirements.
Doulas provide non-medical support and thus to date, there have been no certification requirements in order to provide doula services. While this means consumers should do their due diligence during the hiring process, it means those with skills to provide continuous labor support are able to provide such services regardless of access to state certification programs.
Providing an opportunity to become state certified is a great step towards professionalism. However, will this language set the stage for potentially criminalizing doulas? What happens to those who do not pursue certification under the state of NY?
We feel different language provides more protection from unnecessary requirements to provide labor support. Perhaps, ‘State Certified Doula’ is an option? While allowing other certified doulas to continue referring to themselves appropriately as they have completed peer-recognized certifications.
The Potential to Further Disparities Among Minorities
Women of color have severe disparities in birth outcomes, especially African American women. Data collection has proven this.
Regardless of their education, employment and age, African American women have the highest maternal mortality rate and at no fault to them.
Systematic racism plays a role in these outcomes. Racism in the US and poor maternity outcomes are connected. While we aren’t certain exactly how and why, nor do we know the exact solution to end this, we do know changes need to be made.
It is imperative that more women of color be able to provide professional labor support for other women of color.
The language in this bill currently reads: “being of good moral character as defined by the department.”
What is the definition of good moral character? Will the board deciding who is approved be diverse and reduce the risk for discrimination or biases?
Will this exclude anyone with a previous criminal history? We know for a fact that women of color are disproportionally criminalized. This puts them at a disadvantage in building a career. Women of color are best suited to support other women of color. This is a vital part of the effort to reduce disparities in maternity care.
What negative impact will this have on the very population we need to improve outcomes for?
The Impact on Those in Poverty and With Other Disadvantages
Exam and fee requirements to become certified through the state should this bill pass. Will these requirements reduce the number of women in poverty able to pursue certification? What will happen to the community doulas already serving women if they’re unable to afford exams and fees?
Doulas are non-medical providers. Many certification agencies require submitting proof of knowledge regarding evidenced based birth practices and clear understanding of scope of practice. However, none currently require a supervised, formal exam.
For a non-native speaker, is the exam intimidating despite her doula skills? Will this exclude an extremely qualified and skilled doula who happens to have a learning disability?
Adequately skilled doulas should be able to continue to practice. Adjusting these requirements could be vital in ensuring that. Skilled doulas should be able to provide support within their own communities. It’s vital they be part of the solution to our poor maternity care outcomes.
The Bill Is Modeled After Struggling Pilot Programs
Several community doula and Medicaid covered doula programs have attempted to provide continuous labor support. For these programs, their goals were to support as many women as possible, and regardless of personal ability to pay. Unfortunately, many of these programs are not sustainable.
The pilot programs haven’t worked, making modeling this bill after them a poor idea. However, if the programs are not sustainable, is modeling this bill after that style program a benefit to anyone?
While many doulas enter the profession as a calling and desire to help, they cannot practice without proper compensation. The nominal reimbursement of many pilot Medicaid programs became a hurdle to these programs lasting long-term. Modeling this bill after such programs may set up the entire doula profession in the state of NY to struggle.
This Bill Is Lacking
The bill does attempt to address the need for continuous labor support for women. We feel very strongly that changes need to be made. We appreciate the goal of improving maternity outcomes.
In conclusion, any bill which leaves the opportunity for further racial disparities is a problem. Allowing socioeconomic discrimination is problematic. Encouraging poor compensation for doulas, is not a bill which can have a positive impact on maternity care.
We ask you, Governor Cuomo, and New York State Legislators to consider the importance of language in this bill. Please consider how we can protect birthing women, women in all communities, and doulas.
On behalf of all of our New York Members,
Sincerely,
Aliza Bancoff, Director,
International Doula Institute
484-278-1648 x402
Author: Aliza Juliette Bancoff
Aliza Juliette Bancoff is a well-known doula and doula trainer who has been providing doula services to families for over a decade. She is the founder of Main Line Doulas, a doula group providing doula support in the great Philadelphia area for the last decade, the International Doula Institute, which provides online doula training and lactation training and certification programs and the International Breastfeeding Institute which provides lactation training and certification. She is the co-founder of United Birth, a company devoted to increasing access to doulas across the country to make the perinatal time safer both physically and emotionally. “Every birthing person deserves access to quality doula support. And we are working to make that a reality across the country. The work we are doing to get doulas to every birthing person will decrease the black infant and maternal mortality rate significantly by 2030.” Says Bancoff. Aliza is known for her compassionate and empowering approach to doula work, and she has been featured in numerous media outlets, including United Nations Maternal Health Report, Parent Magazine, CafeMom, theBump and many more. Aliza's journey into doula work began when she gave birth to her first child and felt a strong calling...