Tag: doula

Hospitals Help: Henry Ford Health’s Hospital-Based Doula Program

Member News

To help address the alarming rate of maternal and infant mortality, Detroit-based Henry Ford Health established a hospital-based doula program in 2024 that makes a trained professional available to provide emotional, physical and educational support before, during and after pregnancy to patients with Medicaid Health Plans. The program is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

Members of the Henry Ford Health Doula Program team.
Members of the Henry Ford Health doula program team.

Studies suggest that care from a doula can make labor and delivery safer for pregnant people and babies. Through the program, eligible patients can request a doula at any time during their pregnancy. If an individual arrives at the hospital to deliver a baby and staff learn they’ve had little or no prenatal care, they can offer the services of an on-call doula, who provides an added layer of care during and after delivery. In its first year, nearly 200 pregnant people enrolled in the doula program.

Research conducted at Henry Ford Health after the implementation of the doula program found that those with greater social risk were more likely to engage in doula care when services were integrated and accessible, underscoring the importance of tailoring programs and outreach.

“Far too often individuals arrive at the hospital to give birth having had no prenatal care,” said Dr. D’Angela Pitts, maternal fetal medicine, Henry Ford Health. “These patients are most at-risk for complications during and after birth. That’s why we took the extra step of having doulas on call in the hospitals.”

For more information and hospital stories, check out the 2025 Community Impact Report. Members with questions may contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Oct. 7, 2024

Monday Report, Member News

MHA Participates in Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health Healthcare Policy Forum

Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health hosted Oct. 4 the ninth annual regional healthcare policy forum in Kalamazoo. Moderated by Dr. Colleen Allen, CEO, Autism Alliance of Michigan, the forum focused on the theme of “Working Together” …

MHA Webinar Explores How Boards and Leaders Can Deploy AI Responsibly and Ethically

The MHA is hosting the webinar How Boards and Leaders Can Deploy AI Responsibly and Ethically, scheduled 4:30 – 6 p.m. ET Dec. 3 which features respected healthcare leaders in artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare operations …

Fall MI AIM Regional Training Events

The Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM) is offering training events across Michigan for inpatient maternal healthcare providers. The events, scheduled from late October to November, will focus on using quality improvement …

MDHHS Releases Medicaid Doula Services Proposed Policy

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released a proposed policy updating Medicaid coverage for doula services, effective Oct. 1, 2024. Key updates include increasing the number of covered doula visits to …

MHA Highlights Behavioral Health Priorities at Michigan Children and Families Summit

Lauren LaPine, senior director, legislative and public policy, MHA, participated in a discussion Oct. 3 in Grand Rapids during the Michigan Children and Families Summit hosted by the Steelcase Foundation. The summit explored the results …

MHA Race of the Week – U.S. Senate

The MHA’s Race of the Week series highlights the most pivotal statewide races for the 2024 General Election. The series will provide hospitals and healthcare advocates with the resources they …

MHA Rounds graphic of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — Protecting Access to Care Through 340B

Protecting access to high quality, affordable healthcare for all Michiganders is a key tenet of the MHA. Stated simply, the 340B drug pricing program, created by Congress in 1992, is absolutely crucial to our member …

Keckley Report

Tax Exemptions for Not-for-Profit Hospitals: Are they Worth it?

It’s a question lots of folks inside and outside of healthcare are asking these days. …

The JAMA study did not focus on a ratio; instead, it focused on quantifying the amount of state and local exemptions that should be considered by policymakers in addition to their federal exemptions.  Notably, this study quantifies wide variation in which hospitals benefit most when local, state and federal exemptions are included and proposes that policies around NFP hospital tax exemptions be delegated in part to state and local determinations (as is already the case in at least 3 states). …

The Boards and leaders in each not-for-profit hospitals must account for the tax exemptions they currently enjoy and anticipate changes that limit them in the future. These studies point clearly to that inevitability. And each must answer this question for their organization objectively: are our tax exemptions truly worth it to the communities we serve, or simply a financial maneuver to use our money elsewhere?

Paul Keckley, Sept. 30, 2024

News to Know

Members looking to support hospitals impacted by Hurricane Helene can contribute to relief efforts through the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund and the Tennessee Hospital Association Disaster Relief Fund.

MDHHS Releases Medicaid Doula Services Proposed Policy

Member News

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released a proposed policy updating Medicaid coverage for doula services, effective Oct. 1, 2024. Key updates include increasing the number of covered doula visits to 12 per pregnancy, raising reimbursement rates to $1,500 for labor and delivery support and $100 per prenatal and postpartum visit. Additionally, beneficiaries may qualify for up to six extra visits if more support is needed, based on criteria such as promoting health literacy, emotional support, addressing social determinants of health and more.

These changes aim to improve maternal and infant outcomes, support birth equity and reduce disparities. Doulas provide essential emotional, physical and educational support during pregnancy, leading to better birth outcomes.

Members are encouraged to review and provide feedback on the proposed changes to Kimberly Lorick at LorickK1@michigan.gov. Comments must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2024.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

Michigan Doula Advisory Council Membership Application Opens

Member News

The Michigan Doula Advisory Council (DAC) invites doulas across the state to apply for membership as its first council term ends in Dec. 2024. The DAC works to improve doula services in Michigan, particularly with the new Medicaid doula reimbursement policy, and features a diverse group of doulas from various communities and settings.

Doulas interested in the DAC are encouraged to submit an application by Sept. 23, 2024 to MDHHS-MIDoula@michigan.gov. Although not required, submitting a resume or cover letter is encouraged. New members will start a two-year term in January 2025. For more details, members may refer to the Doula Advisory Membership Guidelines.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.