Black Maternal Health
Maternal Health Advocacy in Texas: How Doulas and Families Can Get Involved
Chanel Blackmore, Black Pearl Doula Collective October 14, 2026
Maternal health advocacy in Texas includes studying pregnancy-related deaths, expanding access to doula care, and strengthening community support for Black families. The Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee reviews pregnancy-related deaths and makes recommendations to prevent them. In December 2024, Texas added a doula provider type to Medicaid, a step toward broader doula access that advocates continue to build on.
What does the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee do?
The Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC), housed within the Texas Department of State Health Services, studies pregnancy-related deaths in Texas and trends in severe maternal morbidity. The committee reviews cases to determine cause of death and pregnancy-relatedness, assesses preventability and contributing factors, compares rates across populations, and publishes recommendations to reduce preventable pregnancy-related deaths. Its findings inform the conversation about how hospitals, providers, and communities support pregnant people in Texas.
What is the current status of Medicaid doula coverage in Texas?
Texas has been building toward doula coverage. Under House Bill 1575 from the 2023 legislative session, Texas Health and Human Services created a Medicaid doula provider type that launched in December 2024, allowing certain nationally certified doulas to enroll as providers and bill for case-management services for children and pregnant women. As of the most recent reporting, that benefit covers case-management support rather than a standalone labor-and-delivery doula benefit, and advocacy for fuller reimbursement continues, including pilot-program proposals such as HB 1201 in the 2025 session. The Texas Tribune has covered doulas and community health workers pushing Texas to cover more services for pregnant women.
How can doulas get involved in advocacy?
Birth workers advocate in many ways: by serving families with culturally rooted care, by educating their communities, by mentoring new doulas, and by staying informed on state policy around maternal health and Medicaid doula coverage. Black Pearl supports this work through its professional community, mastermind gatherings, and mentorship. Read more about building your support network as a birth worker.
How can families advocate for themselves and others?
Families can start by being informed and heard: learn the urgent maternal warning signs from the CDC's Hear Her campaign, ask questions at appointments, and speak up when something feels wrong. You can support advocacy by sharing your experience when you feel safe doing so, encouraging others to plan for support, and asking your provider and hospital about doula access. CDC's Hear Her campaign stresses that you know your body best and that partners, family, and friends can help by listening and encouraging care.
How does Black Pearl support advocacy?
Black Pearl is built around Black maternal health: it trains doulas in advocacy and healthcare navigation, provides culturally rooted support to families, and brings birth workers together through the Collective and mastermind events. If you are an aspiring doula, explore certification; if you want to connect with other advocates, join the Collective.
FAQ: Do I need a healthcare license to advocate?
No. Maternal health advocacy is open to birth workers, families, students, and community members. You can start by learning the facts, supporting families, and speaking up for respectful care. This article is general educational information, not medical advice.
Put your voice behind Black maternal health
Black Pearl trains doulas, builds birth-worker community, and advocates for Black families across Texas. Explore certification or join the Collective to get involved.
Sources
This article is general educational information, not individualized medical advice. Always discuss your health and care decisions with a licensed healthcare provider.
