Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Take action to support federal funding for community-based doula programs

From Health Connect One (formerly the Chicago Health Connection, which piloted some of the most prominent and impressive models for community-based doula programs!):

"Help ensure continued funding for community-based doulas!
Email your elected officials today

We have received confirmation from staff with Senator Richard J. Durbin and Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr. that both Senate and House Appropriation Committee FY11 U.S. DHHS reports include funding for the community-based doula program at its current level of $1.5 million. The Senate Appropriations Committee specific language is as follows: “$93,999,263 for the Special Projects of Regional and National Significance [SPRANS]. Within that total, the Committee recommendation includes sufficient funding to continue the set-asides for oral health, epilepsy, sickle cell, doula programs, and fetal alcohol syndrome at no less than last year's level.” In addition, although the House Appropriations Committee has not released its report, we know the House bill includes funding for doulas.

It is anticipated that after the November elections, a Conference Committee, made up of members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, will create a final bill. We need you to contact your Senators and Representatives and encourage them to keep the doula funding in the final bill."

Click here to easily contact all of your reps + the president - it takes all of 3 minutes to write an e-mail and send it along!

No comments: