Louisiana § 46:977.41 Legislative findings

Louisiana Statutes

§ 46:977.41 — Legislative findings

Louisiana § 46:977.41

Title 46Public Welfare and Assistance

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Bluebook

La. Stat. Ann. § 46:977.41 (2026).

Text

§977.41. Legislative findings The legislature hereby affirms all of the following:

(1)Leading professional societies, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and federal agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, have recognized the well-established benefits of doula services.

(2)In January 2025, Louisiana was selected as one of the states to participate in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Transforming Maternal Health Model. The model is designed to focus exclusively on improving maternal healthcare for people enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. The mode

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§977.41. Legislative findings
The legislature hereby affirms all of the following:
(1) Leading professional societies, such as the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and federal agencies, such
as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services
Administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, have recognized the
well-established benefits of doula services.
(2) In January 2025, Louisiana was selected as one of the states to participate in the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Transforming Maternal Health Model. The
model is designed to focus exclusively on improving maternal healthcare for people enrolled
in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. The model supports participating
state Medicaid agencies in the development of a whole-person approach to pregnancy,
childbirth, and postpartum care that addresses the physical, mental health, and social needs
experienced during pregnancy. The goal of the model is to reduce disparities in access and
treatment. The model aims to improve outcomes and experiences for mothers and their
newborns, while also reducing overall program expenditures. This model urges states to
address gaps in maternal healthcare using doulas.
(3) Research has demonstrated that support from a doula is associated with lower
cesarean section rates, fewer obstetric interventions, fewer complications during and after
childbirth, decreased use of pain medication, shorter labor hours, and higher scores on the
Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration, or APGAR, test, which indicates
how well the baby is doing outside the womb.
(4) As a state, Louisiana consistently ranks in the top five states for maternal and
infant mortality and morbidity in the United States, which is indicative of a maternity
healthcare crisis. It is well established that the use of doulas in maternal healthcare makes
a difference in improving outcomes and lowering healthcare costs for the mother and infant.