Simply Healthcare announces scholarship program to strengthen midwife workforce

MIAMI (FLV) –  Simply Healthcare Plans announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Indian River County Head Start by offering $60,000 in scholarships to provide free training and certification for 30 doulas on Thursday.

A doula is a person who provides emotional and physical support to women during pregnancy and childbirth, according to WebMD.

The latest investment will help build a robust network of highly skilled doulas, expand maternal health services and improve health outcomes for expecting mothers and newborns, according to Simply Healthcare.

“Simply is committed to developing innovative solutions that address the maternal health needs of the communities we serve,” said Simply President Holly Prince.

Simply Healthcare Plans is a Florida managed health care plan that serves Medicare Advantage and Medicaid members in the state of Florida.

“Our partnership with IRCHS will continue to help build strong communities that are united toward positive and lasting change so we can build a brighter, better future for families across Florida,” Prince said.

Research from Elevance Health, the parent company of Simply, said certified doulas have been “effective at improving health outcomes for people who are pregnant and their babies.”

Data from several states that provide Medicaid coverage of doula care shows that Medicaid beneficiaries who used certified doulas during their pregnancies and deliveries had “better outcomes compared to those who didn’t.”

“IRCHS is thrilled to continue our partnership with Simply to train more doulas who can support moms across South Florida that need support,” CEO of Indian River County Head Start Andrea Berry said.

“These doulas play a critical role to ensure safer, more positive birth outcomes for pregnant women in vulnerable communities,” Berry said.

Increasing the doula workforce will “improve birth outcomes for women across Florida who would otherwise not have access to proper maternal care,” according to a press release.

According to a report from the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United States has the highest maternal mortality rates among the world’s developed countries.

To learn more, click here.