DOULA for VA Act of 2026

S.4225, titled the 'Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Affairs Act of 2026' or the 'DOULA for VA Act of 2026,' was introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2026, by Senator Booker (D-NJ) and co-sponsored by Senator Murkowski. The bill has been read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, indicating it is in the initial stages of the legislative process. The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to furnish doula services to veterans. While the bill mandates the creation of this program, it does not specify an explicit funding amount. Actual funding for such a pilot program would depend on subsequent appropriations legislation. The bill highlights findings regarding the increasing number of women veterans using VA healthcare, particularly for obstetric deliveries, and the associated health risks and mental health challenges. Structural beneficiaries, should this bill advance and receive appropriations, would primarily be healthcare providers specializing in doula services. These are typically smaller, localized service providers or non-profit organizations, rather than large publicly traded corporations. The bill's focus is on direct service provision to veterans, rather than large-scale procurement or infrastructure projects. There are no specific publicly traded companies directly identified as primary beneficiaries at this stage. As of today, April 13, 2026, the bill remains in committee. For it to progress, it would need to be considered and approved by the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, then passed by the full Senate, and subsequently passed by the House of Representatives, before being sent to the President for signature. Given its early stage, the timeline for potential enactment is uncertain and likely extends beyond the immediate future.