DOULA for VA Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
- Committees
- Veterans' Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Mar 26, 2026
Bottom line
This bill creates a VA pilot program to offer doula services to eligible veterans, aiming to improve maternal and mental health outcomes and reengage veterans with VA care.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a five-year pilot program to provide doula services to pregnant and postpartum veterans. The program aims to integrate doula support into the VA's Whole Health model to improve maternal, mental health, and infant care outcomes, and to reengage veterans with VA services after childbirth. It specifies program locations, service scope, and administrative oversight.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that the bill addresses the growing and unique needs of women veterans, particularly those at higher risk for severe maternal morbidity and mental health issues, by providing crucial emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy and postpartum. They highlight the potential for improved health outcomes and better integration of veterans into VA services.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that while the intent is good, expanding services through a pilot program could lead to increased administrative burden and costs for the VA, potentially diverting resources from existing, core healthcare services. They might also question the scalability and long-term funding implications of such a program.
The bill is concise and can be read quickly, allowing ample time for evaluation.
Section 2(b)
Establishment of Doula Services Pilot Program
This provision mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create a five-year pilot program within one year of the bill's enactment. The program will furnish doula services to eligible pregnant and formerly pregnant veterans, integrating these services into the VA's Whole Health model. Its primary goal is to measure the impact of doula support on birth and mental health outcomes for participating veterans.
Supporters argue
Supporters contend that this pilot program is a necessary step to address the unique and growing maternal health needs of women veterans, especially given the documented higher risks of maternal morbidity and mental health disorders among this population. They believe doula services can provide critical emotional, physical, and informational support that complements traditional medical care.
Critics contend
Some might argue that while beneficial, the VA's primary focus should remain on direct medical care, and that doula services, while supportive, might be better provided through community partnerships rather than direct VA administration, to avoid expanding the VA's scope beyond its core mission.
Tradeoffs
The tension lies between expanding the scope of VA services to holistic care versus maintaining focus on traditional medical services. It also balances the immediate need for support with the administrative effort required to establish and evaluate a new program.
Section 2(c) and 2(d)
Strategic Placement and Accessibility of Pilot Program
The pilot program will be implemented in specific Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs): the three with the highest percentage of female veterans, the three with the lowest, and at least one in a Frontier State serving high-risk populations (e.g., American Indian or Alaska Native veterans). The program also ensures open participation for any interested eligible entity or covered veteran.
Section 2(e), 2(f), 2(g)
Defined Doula Sessions, Oversight, and Coordination
The bill specifies that covered veterans can receive up to 10 doula sessions: 3-4 prenatal, 1 during labor/delivery, and 3-4 postpartum (which may be conducted via VA Video Connect). The VA's Office of Women's Health will coordinate and oversee the program, including establishing guidelines for doula training on military sexual trauma (MST) and PTSD. It also creates a Doula Service Coordinator role within each participating VA facility's Maternity Care Coordinator function, responsible for managing interactions and payments, with a cap of $3,500 per doula per veteran.
Requires the Office of Women's Health to establish guidelines for training doulas participating in the pilot program on military sexual trauma (MST) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Section 2(f)(2)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to include specific operational requirements within administrative sections. It is not an attempt to be evasive.
Case for: Proponents argue this specialized training is essential to provide trauma-informed care tailored to the unique experiences of many women veterans, ensuring that doula support is sensitive and effective for this population.
Case against: No specific opposition is typically raised against providing relevant training, though some might argue about the scope or cost of such specialized training if it significantly increased program overhead.
Estimated impact: Enhances the quality and appropriateness of care for potentially vulnerable veterans, improving trust and effectiveness of the program.
Authorizes the Office of Women's Health to recommend appropriate payment amounts for doula services, not to exceed $3,500 per doula per veteran.
Section 2(f)(3)
Why it matters:This is a common way to set program-specific cost limits within the operational details, not necessarily evasive.
Case for: Supporters would argue this cap provides a clear financial boundary for the program, helping to manage costs and ensure fiscal responsibility while still allowing for adequate compensation for doula services.
Case against: Critics might argue that a fixed cap could be inflexible, potentially underpaying doulas in high-cost areas or for complex cases, or conversely, overpaying in low-cost areas, leading to inefficiencies.
Estimated impact: Sets a maximum per-veteran cost for doula services, influencing the overall budget of the pilot program and the compensation structure for doulas.