Native Hawaiians Left Out of Medicaid Work Requirement Exemption
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Native Hawaiians must meet new Medicaid work requirements, unlike other Indigenous groups. This imposes added hurdles for a community already facing significant employment and healthcare access challenges.
Montana's scheduled Medicaid payments for doulas were stopped due to a fiscal shortfall, just before the program was set to begin this year. The state had previously planned to recognize doulas as reimbursable providers for expectant and new parents.
This pause signals a wider vulnerability for discretionary Medicaid benefits across the country. As states prepare for federal funding reductions, other optional services supporting maternal health may face similar suspensions, potentially limiting access to essential care for low-income families.
The suspension of doula reimbursements could disproportionately affect low-income mothers who rely on Medicaid, potentially worsening maternal health disparities. As states trim optional services to offset federal cuts, access to preventive and supportive care may decline, leading to higher long-term healthcare costs and increased strain on safety-net providers. This trend may deepen existing inequities in maternal and infant health outcomes.