Policy & Advocacy
The Maine Doula Coalition (MDC) actively works to advance equitable access to doula care through policy and systems change, working to expand coverage and remove barriers statewide.
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MDC is engaged in ongoing advocacy to expand access to doula care statewide, including support for legislation that would improve insurance coverage and resources for families and birth workers. Our work is part of a broader effort to ensure that all families in Maine can benefit from skilled, culturally responsive, and affordable perinatal support.
Project Leads:
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SARAH
TEWHEY
CAIT
VAUGHAN
MEG
WHITHED
August - 2024
January - 2025
March - 2025
April - 2025
May - 2025
June - 2025
July - 2025
July - 2025
The Maine Women's Lobby convenes the Doula Access Legislative committee, which includes the Maine Doula Coalition and other key stakeholders, to move forward with policy initiatives to expand doula access
A bill to expand access of doula care to MaineCare recipients is introduced to the 132nd Legislature by Rep. Deqa Dhalac with recommendations provided by the Doula Access Legislative Team (LD1523)
MDC attends Doula Day at the Statehouse in Augusta hosted by the Maine Women's Lobby.
The public hearing for LD 1523 was held by the Health and Human Services Committee at the Statehouse in Augusta. LD1523 received over 50 pieces of testimony on the impact of doula care.
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Health Human Services Committee held a Work Session on LD1523 and was UNANIMOUSLY voted Ought to Pass!
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LD1523 became law as "H.P. 1008 - L.D 1523 Resolve, to Develop MaineCare Coverage for Doulas Services"​
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Sarah Tewhey and Cait Vaughan partner with the Office of MaineCare as Doula Implementation Consultants for the TMaH grant.
Members of the MDC Leadership Team are awarded the "Collaborative Champion " from the Maine Women's Lobby.