Assemblymember Arambula Authors Assembly Bill 29 to Require that Community Health Workers and Doulas Receive Medi-Cal Reimbursements for Conducting ACEs Trauma Screenings

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) has authored Assembly Bill 29 to ensure that community health workers and doulas – who are vital to serving our most vulnerable communities – receive Medi-Cal reimbursements for providing ACEs screenings.

ACEs stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences, which are traumatic episodes that can include abuse or neglect or exposure to violence, mental illness, substance abuse, or criminal activity. The consequences can be heartbreaking, increasing the risk for intergenerational trauma and deaths caused by heart disease, stroke, cancer, and suicide.

Screening for ACEs is essential in diagnosing and treating children to help them overcome these harrowing experiences so that they can have stable lives of well-being and potential. Community health workers and doulas are trusted providers in some of the most underserved and disadvantaged communities in the Central Valley and California.

Currently, community health workers and doulas are not included on the list of Medi-Cal providers eligible for reimbursements for ACEs trauma screenings. Assemblymember Arambula authored AB 29 to add them to the list to conduct these screenings and be reimbursed through Medi-Cal. By doing this, access will be increased to critical screenings that can lead to early monitoring and treatment of health risks associated with ACEs. AB 29 currently is in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Assemblymember Arambula said: “Community health workers and doulas are integral to our efforts to reach out to our most vulnerable families. They are trusted in these communities and committed to providing quality care to everyone. Their involvement ensures more people can be helped and treated. It’s only fair that they be compensated for this important work.”

AB 29 has two co-sponsors: BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center based in Fresno and the Fresno Community Health Improvement Partnership (FCHIP).

Shantay R. Davies-Balch, President and CEO of BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center, said: “BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center supports expanding reimbursement for Community Health Workers and Doulas, who play a vital role in ACEs screenings and referrals, especially in communities of color. Recognizing and compensating their work will improve consistency in screenings and promote earlier identification and intervention for trauma-related challenges.”

In addition, AB 29 has the support of other health and community organizations that view community health workers and doulas as valued and trusted partners. These groups include Saint Agnes Medical Center, Central Valley Community Foundation, First 5 California, Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office, Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, and the Western Center on Law and Poverty.

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