Midwives in NC...

With all of the steps we are taking to move forward, it appears that unless we make a change, we may be forced to take a step backwards...

Over the past few years, NC Friends of Midwives has been jumping through legislative hoops to work with the state legislature to allow the licensing of CPMs and for the legal practice. Right now, it is a misdemeanor for CPMs to practice in NC, (even though it is legal in all of our surrounding states, and some states even allow Medicaid to pay for a CPM birth).

Recently the NC Medical Association introduced legislature (while we are trying to get ours introduced) to make CPMs felons in NC.

If you can, please take the time to write and call these co-sponsors of the hostile bill: (If you click on the names, you get the NC General Assembly page with their information).

James Forrester
James.Forrester@ncleg.net

William Purcell
William.Purcell@ncleg.net


Here is my letter:

Hello.

My name is Lisa Marie Gittings and I am a North Carolina resident. I want to thank you for the support you have shown for the mothers/women in NC and to the NC Friends of Midwives. Both my husband and I are supporters of legalizing entry level midwives in the state, and we are both active in the movement towards this.

The NC Friends of Midwives have been working hard following the process for legalizing and licensing midwives. We have done everything asked and followed all of the rules/processes set by the legislature. It has been brought to my attention that the NC Medical Society has introduced what I would consider hostile/disruptive legislature with SB164. They are not acting in the best interest of the women in this state.

The 2008 House Select Committee on Licensing Midwives produced bill language instructing the NCOBGYN and NCACOG societies, to work with the Midwifery Joint Committee to establish standards for licensing CPMs in NC. This is important and needed for the health care of women in our state.

If SB164 is passed, we will be making felons out of midwives that are allowed to practice in all of our surrounding states. We cannot make midwives felons!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and to consider my feelings on this matter.