REMARKS
Council Member Julie Menin speaks about Resolution 133-2024 on increasing Medicaid reimbursement for doula services
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Council Member Julie Menin presents Resolution 133-2024, which calls for increased Medicaid reimbursement for doula services in New York State. She emphasizes the importance of doulas in providing support to expectant and new mothers, highlighting the current low utilization rate and the need for greater accessibility.
- Menin cites statistics from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, showing that only 5.5% of New Yorkers who gave birth last year used a doula.
- She mentions recent progress made by the state, including the governor's plan to address maternal and infant mortality and the state health department's announcement of free doula services for eligible New Yorkers.
- Menin expresses her support for the resolution as co-chair of the women's caucus and as a mother, emphasizing the need for further investment in doula support.
Julie Menin
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Thank you so much, Cherilyn Today, I'm honored to speak about my resolution.
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Resolution 133 that calls on the New York State legislature to pass and the governor to sign legislation to increase Medicaid reimbursement to cover 8 pre and post NATO visits.
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As well as delivery support by doula's.
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Doula's provide very important emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother who's expecting is experiencing labor or who has recently given birth and should be more accessible to all New Yorkers.
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In fact, according to the New York City Department of Health And Mental Hygiene, only 5.5% of New Yorkers who gave birth last year relied on a doula.
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This is up from 4.7% in the previous year according to this report from last August, but the rate is quite frankly far too low.
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As New Yorkers seek dual support, they remain fiscal challenges.
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An equitable Medicaid reimbursement rate would ensure greater access for doula's and increased post NATO visits.
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There's been substantial progress made so far this year for doula's from the state.
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In January, the governor announced a comprehensive plan to address maternal and infant mortality.
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This included expanding New York's paid family leave policy to include 40 hours of paid leave to attend prenatal care appointments.
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In June, the state's department of health announced that any eligible New Yorker can receive doula services at no cost for a period of up to 12 months after a pregnancy ends.
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As co chair of the women's caucus and as a mother, I'm thrilled knowing this remains a priority for the state.
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More can be done to build in the work done so far, and passing this resolution would send a clear message to the state from New York City that more investment in doula support is needed.
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I wanna thank the chair for allowing me to speak and for my colleagues for joining me on this resolution.
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And I also wanna thank the drafter, Christy Dwyer, and from my team, Jonathan Schott, Brandon Jordan, and Mercedes Anderson.
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Thank you.
