Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Affairs Act of 2022

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2521, the Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Affairs Act of 2022, or the DOULA for VA Act of 2022.

Women are now our fastest growing group within the veteran community. More than 2 million women veterans live in the U.S. today. Many of them are within childbearing age.

In the last few years, the use of maternal services within the VHA has increased by 44 percent. The DOULA for VA Act would require VA to conduct a study to provide doula services for pregnant veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system.

Mr. Speaker, a doula is a trained companion who provides physical and emotional support to women before, during, and after childbirth. They also offer guidance and educational support for new mothers. However, doulas are not medically trained professionals, and there are no certifying or licensing standards for doulas, which is why it is imperative that doulas meet the minimum quality and safety standards set forth by the VA.

This bill will provide VA and Congress with valuable insight into the trade, and I ask all of my colleagues to support H.R. 2521.

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage all my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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