{ 1 comment }
Welcome to Monday and New York State politics!!! As of this writing, it looks like a budget deal will be voted on soon, meaning that we are nearing the end of the legislative session. The original Midwifery Practice Act of 1992 passed during the last 15 minutes of the legislative session! We believe that the MMA will be no different.
We are in great shape and we have lots of support. It is nothing short of astonishing that we are where we are. All of us -- midwives, consumers, advocates, supportive doctors -- have brought us to this moment. We have asked you to engage in this process, and you have all done so energetically, joyfully, and effectively.
We will likely only ask you to act one more time and when that time comes, it will probably require a super-quick-drop-everything-for-5-minutes-and-call kind of response. No one knows exactly when that moment will be.
Let's all stand at the ready so we can mobilize quickly when the call comes out.
*********************
Is this your first visit to Free Our Midwives? You can learn more about our movement here and more about the Midwifery Modernization Act here.
Do you want to help make sure New York State women have access to the safe and quality care midwives provide? Subscribe for free updates here and we will keep you updated on how you can make a big difference. Together we will get this legislation passed!
***********************
Are you in Rockland County? Local midwifery supporters are throwing a community rally in support of the MMA. Email for more information.
Thursday was Midwifery Modernization Act in the news day! The physician trade organization, The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) held a press conference in Albany today, voicing strong opposition - not surprising, but still disappointing! Their comments revealed a clearly misinformed understanding of midwifery as a profession, the role of the written practice agreement, and the current maternity care crisis confronting New York State women in the face of restricted access to midwives. Fortunately, NYSALM was prepared (thanks in part to a Free Our Midwives consumer who shared with us the ACOG press release in advance). We reached out to reporters across Albany and New York State with the truth - midwifery is safe and the written practice agreement does not enhance the safety of mothers or babies. The result? Balanced coverage that did not just echo ACOG's party line.
It is important for us to remember, as we contact legislators and speak with our friends and family about this bill, that the MMA will change nothing about how midwives practice and consult with physicians. A written practice agreement does not ensure the safety of women and babies. It is the midwifery model of care, including collaboration and consultation with physicians as needed, that provides for the excellent outcomes we see with midwife-attended birth.
For Friday:
1. Check out the New York Times article that just came out and leave a comment. 2. Pat yourself on the back - we are all doing a great job keeping the consumer energy strong and present while lobbyists and midwives work on the ground in Albany. We will be on facebook all day tomorrow with updates and requests for specific constituent contact as the needs arise. Together we will see this bill to the floor and watch it pass! Have a great weekend everyone -- your hard work is so appreciated. ************** Is this your first visit to Free Our Midwives? You can learn more about our movement here and more about the Midwifery Modernization Act here. Do you want to help make sure New York State women have access to the safe and quality care midwives provide? Subscribe for free updates here and we will keep you updated on how you can make a big difference. Together we will get this legislation passed!{ 0 comments }
The supporters are lining up behind us – groups like the National Organization for Women and the American College of Nurse Midwives have come out strongly in support of the Midwifery Modernization Act. Legislators are getting calls and e-mails from all of you. Thank you, thank you for all you’ve done.
Great news! The legislative session is likely to be extended, which gives us just enough time to get this bill out of committee and onto the floor. Your calls are making all the difference. However, there are still some legislators not hearing from anyone. We need to find people in every single corner of New York and encourage them to act.
For Thursday:
1. Pay it forward:
Please forward this link to friends and family who live in various communities in New York State. Send it to people everywhere! We are, however, specifically looking for voices from the following counties: Erie, Niagara, Nassau, Oneida, Oswego, 66th Assembly District in Manhattan, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Queens. Ask your friends, relatives, and colleagues all over New York to get in touch with their legislators to convey their support for the MMA. Post it to your lists – playgroups, volunteer groups, professional organizations – share with your co-workers and update your status on facebook – and ask your friends to share it with their friends, too. Find contact information for your Assemblyperson here and your Senator here. Script: Hello, my name is ______ and I am a constituent. Please encourage the leadership of the (assembly / senate) to bring the Midwifery Modernization Act (A8117-A, S5007) to a floor vote and please vote for this bill.2. Keep it moving:
If you haven’t done so already, call Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Assembly Speaker Silver is the person who has the power to move the bill to the floor for a full vote. 518-455-3791:: Let him know that you support the MMA. Script: Hello, my name is ______ and I am calling to voice my strong support for the Midwifery Modernization Act (A8117-A), and I encourage Assembly Speaker Silver to move the bill to the floor for a full vote. Thank you. ************ Is this your first visit to Free Our Midwives? You can learn more about our movement here and more about the Midwifery Modernization Act here. Do you want to help make sure New York State women have access to the safe and quality care midwives provide? Subscribe for free updates here and we will keep you updated on how you can make a big difference. Together we will get this legislation passed!{ 3 comments }

