California will cover doula services for low-income residents at more than twice the state’s initial proposed rate under a spending plan lawmakers passed last week.
Some advocates welcomed the new benefit in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid health insurance program, as a step toward professionalizing this group of nonmedical birth workers. They say better pay may encourage more people to become doulas. Other advocates, however, called it a partial victory, saying that the rate is still too low for the amount of time and work it takes to ensure healthy deliveries.
Doulas had initially criticized the state for offering one of the lowest rates in the nation, $450 per birth — so low that many said it wouldn’t be worthwhile to accept Medi-Cal patients. In response, Gov. Gavin Newsom last month increased his proposal to $1,154, far higher than in most other states.
