OUR EFFORTS |
| THE JOURNEY It's important to acknowledge that doulas have existed since the beginning of time, and it wasn't until more recent where this cultural practice became more professionalized. We are cognizant that bridging a heart-centered practice into a complex medical system creates additional challenges and barriers to the workforce, though in response, it provides access to families who may have otherwise not be able to receive the support of a doula. Implementing equitable practices supports the wellbeing and sustainability of the doula workforce. |
Oregon was the first state to implement a doula covered benefit and in response to this, a group of doulas came together for collective change. Their efforts made strides into what the Traditional Health Worker Doula is today. Until 2024, Oregon Doula Association had heavily relied on its all volunteer-working board and operated with only project-specific grant funds, like the 2018 Oregon Doula Workforce Needs Assessment and the THW Billing Guide Webinars.
Now, thanks to Health Share's SHARE Funds, ODA has been able to hire staff and offer more consistency in outreach and program implementations. Below are the key highlights of the impact that Oregon Doula Association has contributed towards the Oregon Doula Workforce.
| TIMELINE | OUTCOME |
|---|---|
| 2011-2014 | Doulas come together to shape HB 3650 which designated birth doulas as eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. |
| 2015 | Oregon Doula Association is birthed! |
| 2015-2019 | ODA strategizes, prioritizes, and provides guidance and recommendations as Subject Matter Experts to the Oregon Health Authority's THW Commission and Coordinated Care Organizations as it related to access, integration, billing, and sustainability of the doula workforce utilizing the 2018 Oregon Doula Workforce Needs Assessment as a guide. |
| 2020-2021 | The COVID pandemic restricted doulas from providing services due to limitation of visitors in the hospitals. ODA sent letters to hospitals across Oregon and the Oregon Health Authority to advocate for the removal of doula restrictions. OHA lifted the restriction for THW Doulas only. |
| 2022 | ODA successfully advocates for the doula rate increase from $350 to $1500 for the global package. |
| 2023 | For the first time, ODA gets funded through Health Share of Oregon's SHARE Funds; enabling ODA to build internal capacity, expand programs, and host the first annual Oregon Doula conference virtually. |
| 2024 | Staff is hired for the first time: Program Manager (now Executive Director) and a Program Assistant. Between staff and volunteer-working-board, capacity increases to focus on membership benefits and continue participating and collaborating with organizations, state and Medicaid programs to advance the doula workforce. ODA collaborates with Oregon Education Benefit Board (OEBB) and Public Employee Benefit Board (PEBB) plans like Kaiser, Providence, and Moda Health to provide recommendations and best practices on doula benefit coverage, which went into effect in October 2024.
Programs like the Technical Assistance, which support doulas through the THW Doula and billing process, are implemented. ODA submits proposal for a three-year Doula Learning and Action Collaborative (DLAC) through the Institute for Medicaid and Innovation which was approved in October 2024. The second annual Oregon Doula conference was held in Salem, OR drawing over 150 attendees. ODA hosts a series of listening sessions in preparation for Momnibus 2025, specifically Senate Bill (SB) 629 which called for the integration of Postpartum Doulas as THW's, expanded Medicaid coverage for Lactation Counselors and Educations, and mandates commercial insurances to cover doula services. |
CURRENT PROGRAMS AND PRIORITIES
Updates
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CONTACT US
contact@ordoulas.org
www.oregondoulas.org
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