American College Of Nurse-Midwives Urges Passage Of The Midwifery Modernization Act

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 17 Jun 2010 - 3:00 PDT

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On the occasion of its 55th Annual Meeting, the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) wishes to commend New York state lawmakers who are poised to pass vital legislation which will increase access to high-quality maternity and primary health care services as well as provider choice for women and their families.

The Midwifery Modernization Act (Senate Bill 5007/Assembly Bill 8117) eliminates a substantial barrier to midwifery practice-the requirement that a physician or hospital sign a contractual agreement with a midwife. ACNM holds the position that requiring signed collaborative agreements interferes with safe, effective coordination of care. (1) Repealing the written practice agreement requirement will expand consumer access to health care, particularly in areas of the state experiencing a shortage of women's health care providers. ACNM strongly supports the principle of seamless access to appropriate levels of care within a comprehensive health care system.

New York licensed midwives are nationally certified licensed independent practitioners who provide maternal, gynecologic, and primary women's health care. They are obligated to practice in accordance with the Standards for the Practice of Midwifery which include independent midwifery care and mechanisms for consultation, collaboration, and transfer of care when needed. This also reflects current New York law and the most recent ACNM/ACOG Joint Statement of Practice Relations between Obstetrician-Gynecologists and Certified Nurse-Midwives/Certified Midwives. (2)

ACNM is the national professional organization representing the interests of certified nurse-midwives (CNM®) and certified midwives (CM®). Each New York licensed midwife holds one of these credentials.

1. American College of Nurse-Midwives (2006). Position Statement. Collaborative Agreements between Physicians and Certified Nurse-Midwives and Certified Midwives.

2. American College of Nurse-Midwives (2002). Position Statement. Joint Statement of Collaborative Practice Relations between Obstetrician-Gynecologists and Certified Nurse-Midwives/Certified Midwives.

Source
American College of Nurse-Midwives

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