In 2022, Louisiana allowed Medicaid managed care plans and private insurers to cover and reimburse for doula services. These policy shifts increased access to doula services for birthing people. However, further efforts are needed to fully integrate doulas into hospital care teams to enhance collaboration throughout prenatal and postpartum care. In supportive clinical environments, doulas function as key links between care teams and families during critical moments. Expanding access to community-based and Medicaid-covered doula programs in Louisiana has the potential to reduce preventable maternal deaths, mitigate racial disparities, and strengthen outcomes in underserved parishes.

In response to these legislative changes, in 2025, LPHI’s Doula Collaboration Community of Practice (CoP) convened community-based doulas, birth workers, and clinical providers to establish collaboration between doulas and care teams. Communities of Practice are designed to provide a structured yet flexible learning environment that supports peer connection, shared problem-solving, and practical application of evidence-based strategies. Early accomplishments of the Doula Collaboration CoP included developing a shared definition of respect.