Policy Proposal
Objective:
To reduce the maternal mortality rate and decrease unnecessary medical interventions, this policy advocates for the inclusion of doulas, home birth midwives, pelvic floor therapy, chiropractic care, and postpartum doula care in insurance coverage. By expanding maternal healthcare support, we aim to foster healthier outcomes for mothers, birthing people and infants, while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs associated with high-intervention deliveries.
Key Provisions:
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Inclusion of Doula Care:
• Insurance companies shall cover the services of trained and certified doulas for prenatal, labor, birth, and postpartum support.
• Doula care has been shown to reduce cesarean rates, labor duration, and the need for pain medication, which translates to fewer costly medical interventions and a reduction in maternal complications.
• Doulas working under this policy will be required to maintain up-to-date certifications and training through accredited organizations, ensuring the highest standard of care.
• Doulas will serve as independent contractors, working directly with clients referred by healthcare providers and insurance companies to provide continuous, culturally competent support throughout the childbearing process.
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Home Birth Midwives:
• Insurance plans will cover the services of certified and licensed home birth midwives as an alternative to hospital births for eligible low-risk pregnancies.
• Studies indicate that midwife-led care, especially in home settings, leads to fewer interventions, better birth outcomes, and lower overall healthcare costs.
• Midwives shall adhere to nationally recognized standards of care and collaborate with hospitals when transfers are necessary.
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Pelvic Floor Therapy and Chiropractic Care:
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• Comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care includes coverage for pelvic floor therapy and chiropractic services to support physical recovery and prevent complications such as incontinence, back pain, and pelvic organ prolapse.
• These services will help reduce the long-term costs of chronic health conditions associated with childbirth by providing preventative and rehabilitative care.
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Postpartum Doula Care:
• Postpartum doulas will be covered by insurance to assist families in the critical post-birth period, helping with infant care, lactation support, and maternal mental health, thereby reducing postpartum depression and anxiety rates.
• Access to postpartum doula care can ease the transition for new families, lowering the strain on healthcare systems from emergency visits or untreated postpartum conditions.
Expected Benefits:
• Lower Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Rates: Evidence shows that continuous labor support from a doula and midwife-led births can reduce birth complications, leading to healthier outcomes for mothers and babies.
• Reduction in Unnecessary Interventions: Doulas and midwives support evidence-based, low-intervention births, leading to fewer cesarean sections, inductions, and other costly medical procedures.
• Long-Term Cost Savings for Insurers: By decreasing medical interventions, complications, and hospital stays, insurers can reduce the overall cost burden of maternity care. Preventative care, such as pelvic floor therapy and postpartum doula care, can mitigate the need for costly treatments down the line.
• Support for Holistic, Culturally Competent Care: Including a broader range of maternal care providers recognizes the importance of addressing the cultural, emotional, and physical needs of diverse families, fostering a more inclusive healthcare system.
Implementation Strategy:
• Partner with professional organizations representing doulas, midwives, pelvic floor therapists, and chiropractors to establish clear training, certification, and reimbursement standards.
• Develop a contractor-based model where doulas and midwives work directly with insurance companies to ensure that maternal healthcare services are accessible to all insured families.
• Monitor maternal health outcomes and healthcare costs to evaluate the impact of the policy and adjust coverage based on emerging data.
By implementing this policy, insurance companies can help reduce maternal mortality, lower healthcare costs, and promote healthier outcomes for birthing families.