Bill · S. 4225· Senate(119-S-4225)
DOULA for VA Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/26/2026
- Last activity
- 3/26/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Cory Booker
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create a five-year pilot program to provide doula services to pregnant and postpartum veterans. The program aims to measure how doula support impacts maternal, mental health, and infant care outcomes. It expands the Department's Whole Health model by allowing veterans to receive up to 10 sessions of care, including sessions before, during, and after labor. The program will be implemented across specific Veterans Integrated Service Networks, including locations serving Frontier States and high-risk populations. The Office of Women's Health will oversee the administration and training of these services.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would women be better off under this?+8
The bill provides dedicated maternity and mental health support specifically for female veterans.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+7
The bill expands the scope of veteran care to include specialized maternity support services.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+7
The bill establishes a new pilot program to provide specialized doula services to pregnant and postpartum veterans.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Health Outcomes: The pilot program aims to improve maternal, mental health, and infant care outcomes for veterans (Section 2(b)(4)(A)(i)).
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Enhanced Maternity Care Experience: The program seeks to improve the experience of women receiving maternity care, specifically by increasing their ability to develop and follow their own birthing plans (Section 2(b)(4)(A)(iii)).
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Targeted Support for High-Risk Groups: The program targets specific locations, such as those serving populations with higher average risk for maternal mental health disorders, including American Indian or Alaska Native veterans (Section 2(c)(3)(B)).
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Expanded Support Services: Covered veterans can receive up to 10 sessions of care where a doula acts as an advocate alongside the medical team (Section 2(e)(1)).
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Veteran Reengagement: One of the stated goals is to reengage veterans with the Department of Veterans Affairs after they give birth (Section 2(b)(4)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limited Number of Sessions: The care provided under the pilot program is capped at no more than 10 sessions per veteran (Section 2(e)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women+8Good For Veterans+7Good For African Americans+5Good For Native Americans+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+6Improves Mental Health Access+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+7
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+5
- 7/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia