A huge win to create a new health profession called “Doula”. It’s long overdue.
From the WA Leg. site.
Background: Doulas. A doula is a support person, or non-medical birth coach, trained to
provide physical, emotional, and informational support to pregnant persons during the
antepartum, labor and delivery, and postpartum periods. In Washington State, doulas are
not a licensed health profession and not subject to professional discipline under the Uniform
Disciplinary Act.
In 2020, the Legislature directed the Health Care Authority (HCA) to reimburse for
maternity support services provided by doulas. HCA and the Department of Health (DOH)
must consult with stakeholders and develop methods to secure approval from the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid services for reimbursement for doulas and provide
recommendations. HCA submitted a report to the Legislature in December 2020
recommending the creation of a credential for doulas to allow for Medicaid
reimbursements.
DOH must issue a certification to any applicant who meets the following requirements:
• submits a completed application as required by DOH;
satisfactorily completes competencies that meet the requirements established by the
Secretary;
•
• has not engaged in unprofessional conduct;
• is not currently subject to any disciplinary proceedings; and
• pays a certification fee established by the Secretary in rule.
The Secretary must, in collaboration with community partners who advance equitable
access to improve perinatal outcomes and care through holistic services for black and brown
communities, adopt rules establishing the competency-based requirements a birth doula
must meet to obtain certification through the following pathways:
successful completion of training and education programs approved by the Secretary;
and
•
submission of proof of successful completion of culturally congruent ancestral
practices, training, and education that the Secretary must review and determine
whether the training and education meet the competency-based requirements
The Secretary must establish certification and renewal fees, administrative procedures,
continuing education and administrative requirements; maintain a record of all applicants
and certifications; and hire clerical, administrative, and investigative staff as needed to
implement and administer the requirements for birth doulas. The Secretary is authorized to
adopt rules.
UDA governs the issuance and denial of certifications and the discipline of certified birth
doulas. DOH is designated as the disciplining authority for certified doulas under the
UDA. No person may use the title state-certified birth doula or indicate or imply the person
is a state-certified birth doula without obtaining certification.
“Birth doula” means a person that is a nonmedical birth coach or support person trained to
provide physical, emotional, and informational support to birthing persons during
pregnancy, antepartum, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. Birth doulas advocate for
and support birthing people, and families to self-advocate by helping them to know their
rights and make informed decisions. Birth doulas do not provide medical care.
“Postpartum period” means the 12-month period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy.
