This year Colorado passed a new law to help address high rates of maternal mortality, particularly among Black women. In theory, this gives mothers more control over their childbirth experiences, but how well is the program working?

Discussing some of the problems with new program, which allows doula services to be covered by health insurance, is Imani Williams, a doula and owner of Birth in Black; Heather Thompson, director of research at Elephant Circle, a Denver-based reproductive and birth justice organization; and Democratic Rep. Junie Joseph, who sponsored the legislation for the program.

RealTalk is hosted by Colorado Public Radio’s Nathan Fernando-Frescas and Denver7’s Micah Smith.