Action Alert :: The Final Push

The session is almost over - let's move this bill now!

Three weeks ago we poured on the pressure as doctors tried to tell New York State legislators to deny women and families access to the excellent and professional care of midwives. Our voices were heard and now it's time to drive home our message before the legislative session ends.  LET'S PULL TOGETHER OUT VOICES AND GET THE MMA PASSED BEFORE LEGISLATORS GO HOME FOR THE SUMMER! Thanks to the efforts of NYSALM, every legislator will arrive in their office on Tuesday morning to receive two carefully crafted documents:

• A myth/fact sheet that clarifies the common misconceptions legislators have about the MMA
• A summary of the online petition that shows massive statewide support for this bill as well as detailed consumer support from various New York regions

What You Can Do to Help

1. Contact your legislators.

Find your Senator here and your Assemblyperson here. Please call, email or - if you have access - fax a letter to their office.  If possible visit them at their home office. Tell them 3 things: -You are a constituent -Ask them to support, co-sponsor and vote for the MMA-Senate bill S5007/Assembly bill A8117  (Please check if your legislator is already co-sponsoring the bill here. If they are, thank them!  James Brennan, Assemblyman from Brooklyn, is our newest multi-sponsor.) -Tell them midwives are safe, independent health care professionals who provide necessary care to New York State women and families.



2.  Contact the Higher Education Committee Chairs.

Senator Stavisky:

Tel:   (518) 455-3461

Email address: stavisky@senate.state.ny.us

Or use this easy contact form found here.

Assemblywoman Glick

Tel:  (518)-455-4841 Email Assemblywoman Glick here. Please tell both Assemblywoman Glick and Senator Stavisky:

• We want this bill to pass THIS SESSION-time is of the essence!
• Women and families across the state of New York want this bill to pass.

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.

The voices of consumers like you are critical to preserving access to midwifery care for women and their families across New York State.  Thank you for your continued support, time and effort. ******************************* Please take a moment to share this action alert with your social media networks. New to Free Our Midwives?  We are a consumer based network of New York State residents building an online home to communicate and activate effectively and quickly to ensure we have access to the midwifery care we need and choose.  Please subscribe for free to stay in contact and learn more about how you can help.

Tagged as: Action Alert, midwifery modernization act