Abortion DOULAS Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2469

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-05-13T08:06:47Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Abortion Data and Outreach to Unlock and Leverage Abortion Support Act (Abortion DOULAS Act) aims to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study the benefits of "abortion doula care"—non-medical support provided by trained professionals during abortions—and its potential coverage under health programs like Medicaid. This is intended to address gaps in reproductive health support, particularly after the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which limited federal abortion protections and increased barriers for certain groups.

Key Provisions

• Definitions:
• Abortion doula care is defined as emotional, social, informational, and physical support by non-clinical professionals (abortion doulas) before, during, and after medication or procedural abortions. This includes practical help like patient navigation, advocacy, and post-care assistance.
• The "Secretary" refers to the head of HHS.

• Findings: The bill outlines congressional findings on the value of doula care, including its role in providing culturally sensitive support, reducing stigma, and aiding marginalized communities (e.g., people of color, low-income individuals, rural residents). It notes barriers like lack of awareness, high costs, low insurance coverage (especially for abortions), and challenges for doulas such as unpaid work and credentialing issues. Evidence from studies shows high patient satisfaction with doula support during abortions.

• Study Requirements (Section 4): HHS must conduct a study, in coordination with offices on minority and women's health, assessing:
• Impacts on patient well-being and experience.
• Potential to improve abortion care quality.
• Doulas' role in providing informational, logistical, and practical support.
• Availability and access to doula care nationwide.

Data collection involves anonymized surveys and interviews with patients, families, doulas, and providers (focusing on states with Medicaid coverage for doula services), plus reviews of academic research. HHS must consult experts in reproductive, maternal, mental, and social health, as well as community-based doulas in underserved or rural areas. Patient privacy is protected by anonymizing data.

• Report Requirements (Section 5): Within 18 months of enactment, HHS must submit a report to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The report will cover:
• Benefits and challenges of integrating doula care into abortion services.
• Ways to increase access, especially in underserved or rural areas.
• Policy recommendations for states to include doula care in Medicaid plans (or waivers), including eligibility, covered services, payment rates, and federal/state rules.

The report must be publicly available on the HHS website.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces no direct changes to current laws. It authorizes a one-time study and report rather than mandating new coverage, regulations, or funding. However, it could indirectly influence future expansions of Medicaid (a joint federal-state health program for low-income people) by providing evidence-based recommendations for states to cover doula services, building on limited existing state efforts.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: HHS will bear the administrative burden of conducting the study, collecting data, and preparing the report, potentially involving coordination with other federal offices. This could inform broader HHS policies on reproductive health without requiring new budgets (funding details are not specified).

• On Citizens: Individuals seeking abortions, especially in marginalized groups facing post-Dobbs barriers (e.g., Black, Indigenous, low-income, rural, or non-English-speaking people), may benefit from increased awareness and potential future access to affordable doula support. It could reduce emotional and logistical challenges during abortions but has no immediate effects.

• On International Relations: No impacts, as the bill focuses solely on domestic U.S. health policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Patients and Families: Those undergoing abortions, particularly underserved populations, who could gain better support and navigation services.
• Abortion Doulas and Providers: Non-clinical doulas and health professionals, who may see improved recognition, training, and reimbursement opportunities.
• State and Federal Governments: State Medicaid agencies could adopt recommended changes; HHS oversees the study.
• Community Organizations: Groups providing doula care in rural or minority communities, which are consulted in the study.
• Insurers: Private and public plans (e.g., Medicaid) may face pressure to expand coverage based on study findings.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill operates within existing federal authority under the Social Security Act (which governs Medicaid) by recommending (not requiring) state-level changes. It emphasizes patient privacy protections to comply with laws like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which safeguards medical information).

• Constitutional: No direct challenges; it avoids mandating abortion access, focusing on supportive care, which sidesteps conflicts with post-Dobbs state restrictions on abortions themselves.

• Political: As an abortion-related measure in a divided Congress, it highlights partisan debates on reproductive rights. The findings explicitly reference Dobbs' disproportionate effects on vulnerable groups, potentially fueling advocacy for equity in health care. Success depends on committee approval and could influence state policies amid varying abortion laws nationwide.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]

Cosponsors (6)

Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-03-27: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-27: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Abortion Data and Outreach to Unlock and Leverage Abortion Support Act — issued 2025-03-27 — PDF (8 pages)