It's time to take action!
Next Tuesday (May 11th) doctors are going to Albany to ask legislators to limit our access to midwives. They've seen the support we are building in Albany and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) sent an official letter of concern asking legislators to oppose the Midwifery Modernization Act (MMA).
Legislators want to hear from you! When we were in Albany, we heard over and over
that legislators wants to hear from consumers - the families who want access to midwifery. We are sending our own letter to legislators, but we need you now!
As ACOG lobbies, let's deluge Albany! On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, let's make sure that for every ACOG member they see, they receive a dozen e-mails, calls, and pictures from us. Let's show them how limiting our access to midwifery by requiring a written practice agreement negatively affects our families, our health, and our communities.
TAKE ONE MINUTE TO CALL ON MONDAY, TUESDAY, or WEDNESDAY
that legislators wants to hear from consumers - the families who want access to midwifery. We are sending our own letter to legislators, but we need you now!
As ACOG lobbies, let's deluge Albany! On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, let's make sure that for every ACOG member they see, they receive a dozen e-mails, calls, and pictures from us. Let's show them how limiting our access to midwifery by requiring a written practice agreement negatively affects our families, our health, and our communities.
1. Contact Senator Stavisky
Tel: (518) 455-3461 Email address: stavisky@senate.state.ny.us Or use this easy contact form found here. ANDContact Assemblywoman Glick
Tel: (518)-455-4841 Email Assemblywoman Glick here. (Note: We have learned that Assemblywoman Glick believes that this legislations "would make a significant modification to the practice of midwifery in New York". This is simply NOT TRUE! When contacting Assemblywoman Glick please emphasize the following: 1. MMA does not expand a midwife's scope of practice. 2. The midwifery model of care involves cooperation with doctors (of all types) and referrals when needed. 3. The only thing that will change by passing the MMA is the removal of the written practice agreement which is an unnecessary piece of paper that is directly prohibiting midwives from practicing all over New York State. 4. Midwives are highly trained, licensed professionals.) Urge them to move the MMA - Senate bill S5007 / Assembly bill A8117 out of the Higher Education committee.2. Contact your Senator and Assemblyperson.
You can find your Senator here and your Assemblyperson here. Contact them by email or phone and if possible make an appointment to visit their home office. You can also find more information about who is sponsoring the bill already and who the key players are at NYSALM's website. THREE KEY POINTS: - let them know you are a constituent - ask them to support, cosponsor, and vote for the MMA-Senate bill S5007/Assembly bill A8117 - Tell them that midwives are certified, independent professional health care providers. Refer to the talking points when you call or write your email. ************ We have strong momentum going right now and if we focus our efforts this upcoming week we can make headway. NYSALM is taking out a full page ad in the legislative gazette on Tuesday using one of our photos from the Photo Project and has put together a packet for legislators. Coupled with our consumer voices we will be heard!Please join our efforts and FREE OUR MIDWIVES!
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Thanks for doing such a phenomenal job of organizing this!
I contacted Stavisky’s, Oppenheimer’s and Paulin’s Albany offices and told them not to let the ACOG succeed in this!
I called and Stavisky’s person actually said “definitely” when I said I was calling to urge him to support the MMA and move it out of the higher education committee! Very encouraging and Glick’s said we’ve been getting a lot of calls about this! Keep ’em coming!
I have contacted the offices of Amy Paulin, Jeff Klien, Stavinsky and Glick to show my support for the MMA. I asked them to help preserve the choice for other women who wish to have this option. Thanks for keeping the pressure on!
Called Neil Breslin (staffer hadn’t heard about it at all, politely listened to a fairly long summation, then told me she was due in two days herself), Glick (staffer with lovely Irish accent knew all about it, took notes, said Glick favors MMA), Stavisky (staffer asked if I was for or against, then said thanksbye) and Jack McEneny (was transferred to voice mail and left what I hope was a succinct message).
As someone ho hasn’t been following this all that closely–who exactly are Glick and Stavisky? Are they in a particular position to get this out of committee, or something?
Thanks for all the fantastic work!
For the person who asked- Glick and Stavisky are the chairs of the committees where the bill is currently stuck- in the Assembly and Senate, respectively.
I had gotten a blow-off email from Glick last week- or that’s how I interpreted it- she said until her staff had fully assessed the effect it would have on other professionals (i.e. OBs?) and the significant change to the practice of midwifery (something that is not, in fact, the case), she had no intention of moving it out of committee.
Assemblywoman Joan Millman is now going to co-sponsor it, and my sentator (Squadron) is already a co-sponsor.
We’ll keep lobbying!
Thanks Anne and everyone!
It seems that Assemblywoman Glick was sending that same blanket response to everyone which we are now responding too in order to help educate her. The legislation will *NOT* change the practice of midwifery in NY. If you reread the Action Alert we have updated information to help create a reply to Glick. We have already responded and not received anything back.
We did amazing work everyone!
I emailed and called last week. I also contact Senator Seward about an in-person appointment at his Oneonta office and am waiting to hear back. I emailed and called my representatives plus Stavisky & Glick today. Assemblywoman Lifton’s office said not everyone realizes that she is a cosponsor. Thanks for all you’re doing on this issue!
This from Senator Seward today:
Thank you for your email message relating to midwifery legislation. I
appreciate hearing from you.
Without a doubt, midwifes play an important and significant role in our health care system, particularly in rural parts of the state including my 51st senatorial district. Eliminating the need for a written practice agreement would likely increase access and improve the quality of care for women who choose midwifery services.
Senate bill 5007, sponsored by Senator Duane, is currently in the Senate Higher Education Committee. Should the bill come before either the committee or the full senate for a vote at a future date, I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind when determining my support. From what I have read, however, I would be inclined to support the bill.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.
Senator Jim Seward
518-455-3131
http://www.senatorjimseward.com