Advocacy in ActionThe Texas Doula Association (TDA) operates on a two-year organizational cycle aligned with the Texas legislative calendar. In Civic Engagement Years (odd years), TDAs work includes compliant advocacy and public education. In Community Power Building Years (even years), TDAs focus is on capacity-building, Doula development, and narrative change.
What We Mean by Advocacy
TDA advocates at systems and policy levels
TDA does not intervene in individual client care
TDA does not operate as a doula agency
TDA does not police or regulate Doulas
TDA in the News
Advancing Doula-centered policies2023: TDA drafted legislation in the 88th Texas Legislature to successfully pass House Bill 1575, related to creating new nonmedical needs screening requirements and new provider types for Medicaid case management for Children and Pregnant Women (CPW) services. As required by House Bill 1575, two new provider types, doulas and community health workers (CHWs) are being added to the CPW program to supplement the number of available case management providers for Medicaid members.
The implementation of these new Medicaid provider types who will be eligible to begin training as case managers was completed in the fall/winter 2024.
2025: TDA joined a group of 25 maternal health organizations in support of the Texas House Bill 514. While Bill 514 passed in Texas, now that Medicaid coverage has been cut, Texans remain in a state of uncertainty. At this time, TDA is not confident that access to Doula care will be a priority. If cuts continue, Texas families will continue experiencing an increased rate of maternal mortality, an increase in birth complications and rising mental health conditions leading to a higher rate of preterm births and low birth rates making access to Doula support even more important.
“The silence of that registered nurse was louder than that (pregnant) woman's cry.”
DeAnna Vonbartheld, co-founder and President of TDA
Special ProjectsIn 2025 together with funding support from Episcopal Health Foundation, TDA board members conducted a statewide survey called the Texas Doula Workforce Survey to explore several key areas that provide insight into the current state of the Doula workforce, Doula experiences and the broader ecosystem in which Doula’s operate.
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