California Doula Pilots Lessons Learned Project

The National Health Law Program protects and advances the health rights of low-income and underserved individuals and families. We advocate, educate, and litigate at the federal and state levels to advance health and civil rights in the U.S.

From October to November 2021, the National Health Law Program’s Doula Medicaid Project conducted interviews with doulas, funders, and/or administrative staff involved with at least ten doula pilot programs in California with a primary focus on addressing racial health disparities, and in particular on providing free doula services to either Black pregnant and birthing people or Medicaid enrollees. Overall, we found that the programs share remarkable consistency across some broader themes. At the same time, on a more granular level, the doula pilots have been quite distinct from one another, with different funding structures, scope of care provided, recruitment plans, training requirements, etc. On January 26, 2022, the Doula Medicaid Project held a panel discussion with representatives from six of the interviewed doula pilot programs.

What follows are a set of publications and resources that we have created from our interviews, conversations, and panel discussion. We hope that in compiling and sharing out this information, the experience and expertise of those involved in these doula pilots can help to inform the rollout and implementation of California’s statewide doula Medicaid benefit. We also hope that this information can be helpful for doulas and advocates in other states across the country who are setting up similar doula pilot programs or expansions of doula care in their own regions.

Access Project

Summaries of California Doula Pilot Programs

This publication contains the compiled summaries of the doula pilot programs that were interviewed as part of this project. The information collected includes the scope of services, reimbursement rate, geographical area served, and many other details on each of the interviewed programs.

Challenges Reported by California Doula Pilot Programs

This publication details the common challenges encountered during set-up, launch, and implementation as reported in interviews with the doula pilot programs. Learn more about the challenges they faced, including funding, COVID-19, administrative burdens, data collection, relationships with hospitals and providers, and much more.

Lessons Learned from California Doula Pilot Programs

This publication is a very topline summary of the panel discussion that took place on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. The goal of the panel discussion was to hear from the doulas and program administrators who launched, implemented, and led innovative doula pilot programs across the state.

Read Publications

Doulas Know Best: Lessons Learned from California's Doula Pilot Programs

Watch a recording of our virtual panel discussion on lessons learned from California’s doula pilot programs. Hear directly from the doulas and program administrators who launched, implemented, and led innovative doula pilot programs across the state.

Watch Panel Discussion

Visit www.healthlaw.org to learn more about our work. The National Health Law Program protects and advances the health rights of low-income and underserved individuals and families. We advocate, educate, and litigate at the federal and state levels to advance health and civil rights in the U.S.