In the News: Anna De La Paz
Making Medicaid’s Doula Benefit Work for Doulas
Anna De La Paz
Doula care is linked to improved birth experiences and maternal health outcomes, and New York State is leading the way on expanding Medicaid coverage for these services. Sociology Ph.D. Candidate Anna De La Paz explores the current state of Medicaid doula coverage and argues that states need to improve reimbursement rate caps and lessen the administrative burden on doulas.
September 28, 2026
Is Home Birth a Choice? Racial and Geographic Differences in Unintended Home Births in the U.S.
Anna De La Paz
The U.S. hit a 30-year high for home births in 2023. Unintended home births (i.e., those without planning or medical support) carry a higher likelihood of adverse outcomes. Rates of unintended home births are low among non-Hispanic White women (6–8%) but range from 33–61% among non-Hispanic Black women, depending on region and metro status.
April 7, 2026
Is Health Insurance Related to Breastfeeding Duration?
Anna De La Paz
This data slice describes differences in breastfeeding duration by insurance type among females ages 15-49 in the U.S. from 2022-2023. Findings show that mothers with private insurance breastfeed longer than mothers with public insurance, such as Medicaid.
August 19, 2025
See related: United States
Why is Food Insecurity High among U.S. Grandparents who are Caring for Grandchildren?
Madonna Harrington Meyer and Anna Delapaz
This brief draws on interviews with U.S. adults ages 60 and older who are caring for their grandchildren to summarize the factors contributing to food insecurity among grandparents.
January 23, 2024