Easier Access to Doulas for Mothers on Medicaid

Jun 17, 2024

1 min

Dr. Martine Hackett, associate professor and chair of Hofstra’s Department of Population Health, was interviewed by Newsday about the New York state health commissioner issuing a standing order that allows all pregnant women with Medicaid access to doula services. In the past, they needed to get an order from their individual licensed health care practitioner.

The order removes “a barrier to doula services," said Dr. Hackett, who serves as co-founder of Birth Justice Warrior of Long Island, which advocates for healthier pregnancies and babies.

“This is one of many steps being taken to simplify and streamline the process of connecting Medicaid members to community doulas,” she said, noting that the state has been trying to make it easier for doulas to handle the complex billing and claims process.

Dr. Hackett's research focuses on public health and health inequities, particularly in the American suburbs and minority communities. She's available to speak with media - simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.

Connect with:

Martine Hackett

Associate Professor of Population Health

Dr. Hackett's research focuses on public health and health inequities, particularly in the American suburbs and minority communities.

Public HealthHealth CommunicationResearch MethodsMaternal-Child HealthInfant Injury

Find Experts

Oct 15, 2026

1 min

People Likely to Turn to Influencers for Fitness and Nutrition Information

Martine Hackett, associate professor and chair of population health, spoke with Newsday about health and wellness advice disseminated by social media influencers. People looking to make a lifestyle change are likely to look at posts by influencers. Dr. Martine Hackett, chair of the population health department at Hofstra University, said posts from these influencers can be helpful to people looking for detailed wellness information that they might not be able to get at a routine office visit with their doctor. “You can go for your annual health checkup, but if you are younger and don’t have a chronic disease, you might be told to exercise, but they don’t have the time to tell you how,” she said. “And you may not be able to go to a nutritionist or a trainer.”

Oct 7, 2026

1 min

Auction of LI’s Oheka Castle Draws Bidders with Big Dreams

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies, spoke to Newsday about the auction of Long Island’s Oheka Castle, which will take place later this month in Manhattan. The property has been called “a real-life Gatsby estate” and “one of the rarest trophy properties in the country.” Buyers could include hedge funds interested in developing condos, a boutique hotel chain or a catering company. “It would be broadly appealing once the economic backdrop improves in terms of being able to borrow to finance construction and purchasing,” Levy said.

Oct 1, 2026

1 min

Nor’easter Caused Widespread Damage, Worsened Beach Erosion

Following a rare September nor’easter, Dr. Jase Bernhardt, associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, talked to Newsday about the damage caused by the storm, including its effects on beach erosion. The slow-moving storm, which began overnight on Friday, September 25, and continued through Monday, September 28, resulted in local flooding, power outages, and thousands of downed trees. “It is unusual but not quite unprecedented for a nor’easter to linger for so long,” said Dr. Bernhardt. “It is possible that the time of year played a role, as the ‘blocking’ pattern that allowed this storm to linger for so long would be more likely to occur at this time of year versus during the winter, when nor’easters are more common.”