New $10M Grant Program Funds Doula and Midwife Training for Low-Income Workers, Starting October 2025

The Opportunities to Support Mothers and Deliver Children Act sets up a new $10 million federal grant program aimed at tackling two big issues at once: improving maternal health access and creating career paths for low-income workers. Essentially, this bill funds demonstration projects to train people as doulas and midwives, roles focused on supporting pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. The money is specifically earmarked for fiscal year 2026, meaning the program will officially start rolling out on October 1, 2025.

The Catch: States Must Already Cover the Services

This isn't a free-for-all grant. The bill (Sec. 2) puts a major requirement on where these training projects can operate: they must be in a state that already recognizes doulas or midwives and ensures their services are paid for by public or private health insurance. This is a smart policy lever, essentially rewarding states that have already taken steps to integrate these professionals into their healthcare system. For someone living in a state without this coverage, the grant money won't be coming their way, at least not yet. The projects themselves must run for a minimum of three years to properly test their effectiveness.

Career Pathways for Those Who Need Them Most

The core goal here is workforce development. The training is exclusively targeted at "eligible individuals"—meaning anyone whose income is below 138% of the Federal poverty level. Think of a single parent looking to change careers or a recent high school graduate who needs a stable, well-paying job with benefits. The grant applicants (which include hospitals, colleges, and workforce boards) must show they have experience working with low-income communities and prove their training programs lead to "strong career paths" with better wages and affordable benefits, including health coverage. This focus on sustainable employment, not just short-term training, is a key win for the workers involved.

Setting the Bar High for Maternal Support

To ensure quality, the bill is very specific about who qualifies as a doula or midwife under this program. A midwife must meet international education standards. A doula must complete at least 60 hours of training and be certified by an organization that has been around for at least five years and requires continuing education. This means the training programs funded by this $10 million won't be quick, weekend certifications; they are designed to produce highly qualified professionals. While strict standards are good for patients, the five-year requirement for certification bodies (Sec. 2, Defining the Roles) could potentially exclude newer, innovative training programs, which is something to watch as the program gets established.

What Success Looks Like in the Real World

The Secretary is required to evaluate these projects to figure out what works best for creating these sustainable careers. The ultimate success of this bill won't just be measured by how many people get trained, but whether those people land jobs with benefits and better wages. If this works, it means more low-income individuals get stable careers, and more pregnant people—especially those who are low-income—gain access to crucial, personalized support from a doula or midwife during a vulnerable time. It's a targeted federal investment designed to address maternal health disparities by building the workforce from the ground up.