Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA County Leaders Want To Make It Easier For You To Get A Doula
Medi-Cal funds 40% of births in the state, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That means a new doula benefit could provide support for more than 150,000 families a year.
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to ask county staff to create a report on how to fund and implement a “hub” of resources and support for birth workers and families alike.
Doulas provide expecting and new mothers or birthing people with educational, emotional, and physical support before, during and after a baby is born. They're not doctors or midwives. Think of them more like coaches or advocates for pregnant people and their families.
A higher rate of mothers and babies die in the U.S. every year compared to other developed countries. California does pretty well compared to other states, but still has stark racial disparities. For example, Black babies are twice as likely to die compared with the state’s average infant mortality rate. Black people are four times more likely to die in childbirth compared to white people.
“Research and experience shows us that the root cause of this disparity is systemic racism,” said Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who put forward Tuesday’s motion. “Studies show Black maternal death rates remain higher, even when differences in economic status and education are taken into account.”
Support for LAist comes from
How Doulas Help
Research shows working with a doula can lead to healthier births. The continuous support doulas provide has been tied to fewer preterm births, cesarean sections, and higher rates of breastfeeding.
The new proposal follows a decision by Medi-Cal, the state’s public health insurance program for low-income people, to add doula services as a covered benefit beginning this past January. That means people can ask for doula support through miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion.
“We're not quite sure how statewide families will know about it and what kind of support doulas will receive in managing the medical process, which can be complicated in and of itself,” Mitchell said.
How Will This County Initiative Help?
County staff will report back to the board within 60 days with a proposal on how to fund and implement several doula-related ideas including:
- Increased access to doula services for families
- Support for doulas who want to become Medi-Cal providers
- Training for people who want to become doulas and existing birth workers
- Expansion of the Department of Public Health’s existing African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Initiative
The board would then consider another motion to put these proposals into action.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist