Pennsylvania Midwives Are Granted Prescriptive Authority, USA

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 27 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Pennsylvania has taken a large step towards improving health care options for women with the passage of prescriptive authority for certified nurse-midwives (CNMs). Pennsylvania is the last state to grant prescriptive authority to CNMs.

The American College of Nurse-Midwives applauds Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Pennsylvania legislature for following suit with the rest of the nation by approving prescriptive authority for CNMs. Governor Rendell signed the bill (HB 1255) into law at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing on Friday, July 20, 2007.

"Pennsylvania's mothers and babies deserve the same care that women throughout the United States enjoy," said Lorrie Kaplan, ACNM Executive Director. "This is a win for Pennsylvania women who use certified nurse-midwives as their health care professionals. The passage of this bill will decrease waiting times to fill prescriptions, reduce unnecessary burdens on other health care professionals, and increase access to care. ACNM applauds the hard work of the Pennsylvania midwives in getting this important bill passed."

Midwives play an important role in the Pennsylvania health care system, where they delivered close to 12,000 babies in 2004 alone. In addition, CNMs see patients for well-woman and primary care. Pennsylvania is also home to two nationally-accredited midwifery education programs, at the University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia University.

"Pennsylvania will become the 50th state to allow nurse-midwives to prescribe medications to women that they care for," said Vivian Lowenstein, CNM of Pennsylvania. "The legislation for prescriptive authority is part of Governor Rendell's initiative, Prescription for Pennsylvania. Nurse-midwives in Pennsylvania worked together with the Governors Office of Health Care Reform, legislators and other health care providers to get the bill passed. Now, nurse-midwives look forward to working with the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine to update the regulations for the legislation for prescriptive authority so that CNMs may begin to prescribe."

With roots dating to 1929, the American College of Nurse-Midwives is the oldest women's health care association in the U.S. ACNM's mission is to promote the health and well-being of women and newborns within their families and communities through the development and support of the profession of midwifery as practiced by certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives. Midwives believe every individual has the right to safe, satisfying health care with respect for human dignity and cultural variations. More information about ACNM can be found at http://www.midwife.org.

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