Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working across the aisle to strengthen maternal health care for Georgia veterans.
This week, Sen. Ossoff launched a push to pass the bipartisan DOULA for VA Act of 2023, legislation he co-sponsored to help provide better physical and emotional support to pregnant veterans before, during, and after childbirth.
The bipartisan DOULA for VA Act of 2023 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a pilot program that provides doula services for pregnant veterans enrolled in VA health care.
A 2010 report found that pregnant veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom were twice as likely to have a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.
“Many Georgia veterans face challenges accessing maternal health care through the VA. Our bipartisan bill would help connect veterans with qualified health care professionals to ensure healthy pregnancies and healthy babies,” Sen. Ossoff said.
The Georgia Department of Veterans Services estimates there are around 93,000 female veterans across Georgia.
Sen. Ossoff continues to champion Georgia’s veterans and military families.
Last month, Sen. Ossoff launched a push to pass the MOMS Who Serve Act of 2024, legislation he co-sponsored to help moms in the armed forces access perinatal health care services.
Sen. Ossoff also began a push to pass the bipartisan Improving Access to Maternal Health for Military and Dependent Moms Act, legislation he co-sponsored alongside Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jon Tester (D-MT) to improve access to maternal health care for moms in the armed forces.
In December, Sens. Ossoff and Kevin Cramer (R-ND)’s bipartisan Military Families Mental Health Services Act to help more military families access vital mental health care services became law as part of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.
In November, Sen. Ossoff’s bipartisan amendment to expand access to breast cancer screenings for Georgia veterans passed the U.S. Senate.
Click here to read the DOULA for VA Act of 2023.
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