Learn a little, do a little. Easy peasy and you will help change the world for the better!
#1) Learn more about the Midwifery Modernization Act.
Midwifery Modernization Act Information From www.freeourmidwives.org
Currently, the New York State midwifery law requires all midwives to have a collaborative written practice agreement (WPA) with a physician in order to practice legally in the state.
This requirement represents a significant barrier to practice for many midwives in the state as few physicians are willing to sign WPAs. It also tremendously hinders access to midwifery care for many women in New York.
The New York State Association of Licensed Midwives (NYSALM) has begun to advocate for the removal of the WPA requirement that midwives now must have with a physician to practice in NYS. The Midwifery Modernization Act, Senate Bill S5007/Assembly Bill A8117, would accomplish this goal.
While the spirit of the WPA requirement may seem like it inspires collaboration between midwives and physicians, in fact, this is not the case. Although many doctors are willing to collaborate with midwives, they are unwilling or unable to sign these agreements. Therefore, although midwives are trained as independent health care professionals, this requirement in the law prohibits them from being able to practice independently. The WPA represents an enormous barrier to practice for midwives all over NYS.
Midwives collaborate, as necessary, with many different types of physicians (e.g., obstetricians, endocrinologists, pediatricians) with whom they have collegial relations. They very rarely have written collaborative agreements with these physicians – they simply refer their clients to see the doctors and the doctors agree to see them. This system works quite well without the requirement of a written agreement.
Importantly, when midwives cannot practice, women and families are denied access to optimal care. The WPA limits access to midwifery care to many women in communities across NYS, and often in underserved areas where this type of care is sorely needed. In many rural areas of the state there are no hospitals or obstetric providers to sign practice agreements. Removal of the WPA requirement would allow midwives to practice in areas where women currently have to travel very far to receive care.
We need consumers and others to step up and support the midwives efforts to become independent providers. New York State legislators need to hear that this issue is important to consumers and not just to midwives. Please take a few moments to write to our senators and let them know that you support this important legislation.
#2) Take action to support this important legislation. Here’s how from freeourmidwives.org:
This is the big time folks! The Midwifery Modernization Act has been amended to satisfy legislators, midwives, doctors, and consumers — no easy task. It is now on the agenda meaning that it is eligible to be put to a full vote in the Assembly and the Senate on Monday! We need to keep the pressure on to assure it gets voted on and passed before the legislative session ends in the next few days.
For Friday:
Call your Assemblyperson and Senator.
Find your Assemblyperson here and your Senator here and call them:
Script: Hello, my name is ______ and I am a constituent. I am calling/writing to urge the Assemblyperson/Senator to please vote for the Midwifery Modernization Act (A8117-B/S5007-B) when it comes to the floor. The women and families of New York need this bill passed this session. Thank you so much!
We will be on facebook all day today asking people to call and thank Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for his work on the bill and to urge him to bring it to the floor. We will continue to contact him by phone (518-455-3791) or email him until we have his full assurance of a full vote. Please watch for that information via facebook and keep us updated on your progress.
This has been a long haul for everyone, but standing here in the final moments with the bill poised to pass we want you to feel proud of how far we’ve come and empowered as we take these final steps.
We have come this far, let’s take it all the way! Please act now!
A special note for shy people (I’m phone-shy sometimes too!). You can simply send a message through your representative’s website. I just did and it’s very easy. There is a form where you enter your name and address and a box for text. Here’s what I wrote:
Hello, I am a constituent, a Columbia University Nursing School graduate RN, and a birth doula. I am writing to urge you to please vote for the Midwifery Modernization Act (A8117-B/S5007-B) when it comes to the floor. The women and families of New York need this bill passed this session.Thank you,Andrea Crossman, BA, BS, RNHolistic Doula NYCwww.holisticdoulanyc.comwww.holisticdoulanycblog.com
Hello Speaker Sheldon Silver,
I am …add where you live, what you do, why this matters to you… I am writing to thank you for your work on the Midwifery Modernization Act and to urge you to bring it to the floor for a vote. The women and families of New York need this bill passed this session.
Thank you,
Your Name
