🚨 It’s Official: HB214 – the Doula Credentialing and Access Act is Now Law! 🚨

House Bill 214—the Doula Credentialing and Access Act—has been signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, officially becoming Chapter 20 of the 2025 Session Laws of New Mexico.

This historic legislation establishes a voluntary credentialing pathway for doulas, allowing them to become Medicaid providers and receive reimbursement for their essential work. It marks a groundbreaking step forward in advancing birth and reproductive justice across the state.

📄 Read the Official Bill Language

Doula Credentialing & Medicaid Reimbursement Has Launched

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has officially launched the Doula Credentialing Program, opening the door for doulas to provide Medicaid-covered care.

🧰 Access the NMDOH Doula Program Toolkit and FAQs to find:

• Step-by-step guidance on becoming credentialed
• Medicaid enrollment resources
• Implementation updates and technical support

🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑🏽 Doula Credentialing Advisory Council

To guide equitable implementation, NMDOH will convene a Doula Credentialing Advisory Council composed of doulas, birth justice leaders, healthcare providers, advocates, and state officials.

This Council ensures:

• Community-based doulas are centered in policy and implementation
• Standards reflect cultural humility and lived experience
• Workforce development is supported and sustainable

NMDA is proud to serve on this Council and will continue advocating for inclusive, accessible care across all communities.

🏛 Meet the Bill Sponsors

We thank the champions who led the way in the legislature:

Representatives:

• Lead Sponsor: Doreen Gallegos (D) – District 52, representing a portion of Las Cruces.
• Sarah Silva (D) – District 53, representing areas including parts of Doña Ana County.​​
• Janelle Anyanonu (D) – District 19, representing parts of Albuquerque.​
• Cristina Parajón (D) – District 25, representing parts of Albuquerque.​
• Reena Szczepanski (D) – District 47, representing a portion of Santa Fe.​

Senator:

• Liz Stefanics (D) – District 39, covering San Miguel, Santa Fe, Torrance, and Valencia counties.​
• Heather Berghmans (D) – District 15, representing areas in Albuquerque.​

These dedicated legislators played a crucial role in the passage of the Doula Credentialing and Access Act, demonstrating their commitment to improving maternal health and expanding access to doula care across New Mexico.

💜 Why This Matters

Doula care is proven to:

• Reduce unnecessary C-sections
• Improve maternal and infant health outcomes
• Lower postpartum depression
• Create culturally grounded support systems

By reimbursing doula care through Medicaid, we are investing in a healthier future for families and sustainable livelihoods for birthworkers, especially in communities that have been historically excluded and underserved.

🫶 Our Coalition of Support

Community & Advocacy Partners

We are honored to work alongside powerful organizations including:

• Bold Futures NM
• Breath of My Heart Birthplace
• Navajo Birthworker Collective
• New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force
• Our Earth Community Birth & Postpartum Attendant Program
• Tewa Women United
• UNM Birth Companion Program
• Marigolde, LLC
• NewMexicoWomen.Org
• NM Voices for Children Action Fund
• NM Commission on the Status of Women
• Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains
• Strong Families NM
• UNM Health Sciences Center

These organizations have been instrumental in advancing reproductive justice and supporting families across New Mexico.

Health Insurance & Healthcare Partners

Gratitude to our partners in healthcare for their collaboration:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico
• UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
• Presbyterian Health Plan
• Molina Healthcare of New Mexico

Individuals Who Made This Possible

With love and appreciation, we honor these birthworkers, organizers, and advocates:

Shay Carrillo, Katelin Kelly-Thomas, Melissa Marie Lopez-Sullivan, Nicole Martin, Chanel Conser, Theresa Urias, Dr. Nancy Torres, Neilthina Yazzie, Ximena Correa, Monica Villanueva Holmes, Moon Longchamp, Erika Garcia, Paula Reiss, Sheila A Burns, Julia L Perez, Madeline Foy, Hanna Chaney, Esperanza Wells, Alana Bradley, Vicki Vessier, Leona Grace Savage, Mary Jessica Russell, Michelle Hackney, Maria Behrend, Megan Othling, Aspen Mirabal, Morgan Markowitz, Miniya Selena Hinson, Stacy Sandel, Aliyah Farooki-Qidwai, Monica Gonzales, S. Tauz TamuPovi, David Burton, Wendolyne Omana, Maia Duerr, Naya Anllo-Valdo, Mariel Sierra, Mariana Marachlian, Joe P. Lopez IV, Andrea Beltran—and many others who brought vision, courage, and care to this work.

🎉 Doula Day of Action – February 22, 2025

On this day, we gathered at the New Mexico State Capitol to advocate and educate on the life saving work of doulas by uplifting the voices of doulas and families statewide.

Your presence helped make this legislation a reality—and your continued involvement ensures it is implemented with justice and equity at the center.

Doula Day of Action 2/22/25 - I would like to see a gallery or some kind of engaging way folks can see these photos but not be able to download them. 

📣 Stay Connected

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• Credentialing updates
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