This bill matters because it would create the first dedicated federal study on the specific benefits and coverage of abortion doula care. In a landscape where abortion access and support are widely debated and vary greatly by state, understanding the impact of non-clinical support could be crucial.
If this bill becomes law, it could provide evidence-based information to policymakers, healthcare systems, and insurance providers about the potential role of abortion doulas in improving patient experience and quality of care. This might influence future decisions about whether to include abortion doula services in healthcare plans, especially Medicaid, which currently has limited coverage for such support. If it doesn't become law, this specific federal study on abortion doula care and its coverage would not occur, meaning potential policy decisions would continue to rely on more limited or disparate data, potentially slowing any changes to how these services are recognized or covered.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a study on the benefits of abortion doula care and its coverage.
This initiates a federal effort to gather comprehensive data and insights on a specific type of support for individuals undergoing abortions.
PROVISION 02
Requires the study to assess the impact of abortion doula care on patient well-being, quality of care, practical support provided, and its availability across states.
This ensures the study focuses on key areas relevant to understanding the effectiveness and accessibility of these services.
PROVISION 03
Mandates data collection through surveys and interviews with individuals who have received care, doulas, healthcare providers, and a review of academic literature.
This outlines the methodology to ensure a comprehensive and diverse range of perspectives are included in the research.
PROVISION 04
Requires HHS to consult with experts in reproductive health, mental health, social work, and community-based doulas.
This ensures that the study benefits from specialized knowledge and real-world experience from various fields.
PROVISION 05
Directs the Secretary of HHS to submit a report within 18 months on State Medicaid approaches to abortion doula care benefits and access.
This provides a clear timeframe for the output of the study and focuses specifically on current policy and coverage gaps within state-level programs.
This bill matters because it would create the first dedicated federal study on the specific benefits and coverage of abortion doula care. In a landscape where abortion access and support are widely debated and vary greatly by state, understanding the impact of non-clinical support could be crucial.
If this bill becomes law, it could provide evidence-based information to policymakers, healthcare systems, and insurance providers about the potential role of abortion doulas in improving patient experience and quality of care. This might influence future decisions about whether to include abortion doula services in healthcare plans, especially Medicaid, which currently has limited coverage for such support. If it doesn't become law, this specific federal study on abortion doula care and its coverage would not occur, meaning potential policy decisions would continue to rely on more limited or disparate data, potentially slowing any changes to how these services are recognized or covered.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a study on the benefits of abortion doula care and its coverage.
This initiates a federal effort to gather comprehensive data and insights on a specific type of support for individuals undergoing abortions.
med
Requires the study to assess the impact of abortion doula care on patient well-being, quality of care, practical support provided, and its availability across states.
This ensures the study focuses on key areas relevant to understanding the effectiveness and accessibility of these services.
med
Mandates data collection through surveys and interviews with individuals who have received care, doulas, healthcare providers, and a review of academic literature.
This outlines the methodology to ensure a comprehensive and diverse range of perspectives are included in the research.
med
Requires HHS to consult with experts in reproductive health, mental health, social work, and community-based doulas.
This ensures that the study benefits from specialized knowledge and real-world experience from various fields.
high
Directs the Secretary of HHS to submit a report within 18 months on State Medicaid approaches to abortion doula care benefits and access.
This provides a clear timeframe for the output of the study and focuses specifically on current policy and coverage gaps within state-level programs.
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act
Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report on State Medicaid approaches to abortion doula care benefits and access.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Abortion doula care
Non-medical support provided by trained professionals to individuals before, during, and after medication or procedural abortions, including emotional, social, informational, and physical help.
Secretary of Health and Human Services
The head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a cabinet-level position responsible for federal health and social programs.
Medication abortion
An abortion performed by taking prescribed medications, typically in the early stages of pregnancy, rather than through a surgical procedure.
Procedural abortion
An abortion performed through a medical procedure, sometimes referred to as a surgical abortion.
Medicaid
A joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources.
Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization
A 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the federal constitutional right to abortion and allowing individual states to regulate or ban the procedure.
Culturally and linguistically congruent
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
MAR 27, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
MAR 27, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Healthcare or support services that are respectful of and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and needs of diverse patients, taking into account their cultural background and language.
Trauma-informed
An approach to care that recognizes and responds to the impact of trauma on an individual's life, aiming to avoid re-traumatization and promote healing.
