Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff is actively working to improve maternal health care for veterans by launching efforts to pass bipartisan legislation. This week, he introduced the DOULA for VA Act of 2023, which aims to provide physical and emotional support to pregnant veterans throughout the childbirth process. The bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a pilot program offering doula services to pregnant veterans enrolled in VA health care.
Research has shown that female veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom are at a higher risk of mental health challenges during pregnancy. Sen. Ossoff’s legislation seeks to address these issues by connecting veterans with qualified healthcare professionals to ensure healthy pregnancies and babies. According to the Georgia Department of Veterans Services, there are approximately 93,000 female veterans in the state.
In addition to the DOULA for VA Act, Sen. Ossoff has been a strong advocate for Georgia’s veterans and military families. He recently introduced legislation such as the MOMS Who Serve Act of 2024, aimed at helping moms in the armed forces access perinatal health care services. Furthermore, Sen. Ossoff has worked on bipartisan initiatives like the Improving Access to Maternal Health for Military and Dependent Moms Act alongside Senators Marco Rubio and Jon Tester, which aims to improve maternal health care access for military moms across the country.
Senator Ossoff’s dedication to supporting military families was evident in December when his bipartisan amendment expanding breast cancer screenings for Georgia veterans passed the U.S Senate as part of National Defense Authorization Act 2023. His efforts are focused on ensuring that Georgia’s veterans and military families have access to essential maternal health care services, highlighting his commitment to serving those who have served our country.
Overall, Senator Ossoff’s efforts are an important step towards improving maternal health outcomes for Georgia’s female veteran population and ensuring that they receive the necessary support during this critical time in their lives.
