{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-murkowski-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-provide-pregnant-veterans-access-to-doula-services", "Booker, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Pregnant Veterans Access to Doula Services", "2023-07-26", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Affairs Act of 2023 (DOULA Act), legislation that would establish a pilot program to provide doula services to support veterans experiencing pregnancy.\n\nAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. maternal mortality rate increased significantly from 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018 to 20.1 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019. Studies show that veterans who experience pregnancy encounter additional challenges. A 2010 report found that pregnant veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom were twice as likely to have a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.\n\nProviding expectant mothers with doulas has been shown to lead to better birth outcomes. Doulas are support providers, trained to provide physical, emotional, and informational support for women throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period.\n\n\u201cAs the number of veterans who rely on maternity services from the VA continues to increase, it\u2019s important that we provide our former servicemembers with the support they need during their pregnancy,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cBy integrating doula support services into the VA, this bipartisan legislation will improve health outcomes for pregnant veterans and their children.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to join Senator Booker in supporting pregnant veterans by expanding access to doula support services. This effort takes a holistic approach to improving maternal health among our veterans. By ensuring that pregnant veterans have access to doulas, we are ultimately supporting women and families who served our country,\u201d said Senator Murkowski.\n\n\u201cThe DOULA for VA ACT is essential for women veterans,\u201d said Lucy Del Gaudio, US Army Veteran, NJ SOS Veterans Stakeholders Board Member. \u201cThe importance of this act would bring an enormous health benefit to millions.\u201d\n\nUnder the pilot program, eligible veterans would receive up to 10 care sessions from a doula who would also be trained on military sexual trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. The legislation would also establish Doula Service Coordinators at each participating medical facility who would also work closely with each facility\u2019s women\u2019s program manager.\n\nThe legislation seeks to improve:\n\nMaternal, mental health, and infant care outcomes.\n\nIntegration of doula support services into the Department\u2019s Whole Health Model.\n\nThe experience of women receiving maternity care from the Department, including by increasing the women\u2019s ability to develop and follow their own birthing plans.\n\nReengagement between veterans and the Department after giving birth.\n\nThe DOULA Act was borne out of conversations Senator Booker had with female veterans at a roundtable he hosted on Veterans Day in 2018.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-murkowski-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-provide-pregnant-veterans-access-to-doula-services"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.4841558188199997, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}