S7779B

The New York State Senate passed legislation to create a Community Doula Expansion Fund on a 58-2 vote, with only Senators Borrello and Oberacker voting in opposition. The bill (S7779B, Calendar 1208) aims to address a critical shortage of doulas available to serve Medicaid patients in the state. Sponsor Sen. Brouk noted that while New York launched a statewide Doula Medicaid Reimbursement Program in January, only 68 doulas are currently eligible for reimbursement despite nearly 100,000 women giving birth under Medicaid coverage annually—representing 47.5 percent of all births in the state in 2022. The legislation will provide resources to community doula organizations tasked with recruiting, training, mentoring and supporting additional doulas to meet the state's substantial need for maternal support services. The bill takes effect 30 days after becoming law.