by admin on June 16, 2010
One thing we've learned from all your calls is that legislators need to hear the real stories of New York State women who have received the safe care of a midwife.
While our on-the-ground team is working their magic in Albany, let's show legislators this is a real issue for women. Today contact your legislator via email and answer one or more of the following questions. (Bonus points: Visit your legislators home office and tell them your answers.)
Why did midwifery feel like a safer choice?
In what ways did your midwife ensure the safety of you and your baby during your pregnancy and labor?
If you had a positive collaboration with a physician during your pregnancy or labor please share.
If your ability to secure a midwife is compromised due to the written practice agreement please tell your story.
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Please don't share conflicts between doctors and midwives. This is not the time to share intimate details of your birth. We are looking to give real examples of how midwifery looks as a profession from a constituent point of view.
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Find
your Assemblyperson here and
your Senator here and share your answers with them via email.
We want to hear too! Copy and paste your emails in the comment section at the end of this post.
by admin on June 15, 2010
Big thank you to everyone who made calls today! Sheldon Silver’s office received a tremendous number of calls requesting that the MMA be moved to the floor for a vote. Your reports on your legislators' positions on the bill keep coming in, giving us a critical picture that helps us develop our next strategic move. Well done everyone! If you haven’t had a chance to call yet, there is still time! We are waiting to hear when the bill will be called for a vote in the Assembly and Senate. In the meantime, your calls are extremely important. Right now we need to reach every corner of the state, so the most important thing you can do today is to forward this link to people you know who live in New York, with a special focus on those outside of your community.
For Tuesday:
1. If you haven’t had a chance to make your calls yet, please call your Assemblyperson and Senator.
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. Forward this link to three people who live in New York State but outside of your community.
Ask your friends, relatives, and colleagues all over New York to get in touch with their legislators. 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.
3. Report back to us with any news
If you learn where your legislator stands please report your findings back to Free Our Midwives either by leaving a comment on this action alert,
letting us know on facebook or shoot us an email (jeanette@freeourmidwives.org).
by admin on June 14, 2010
We have arrived at the final phase of getting the
Midwifery Modernization Act passed. Thanks to your amazing outpouring of support the bill was moved out of the Higher Education Committee last week. Now it is poised to be brought to a full vote in the Assembly and Senate. This is the moment!
This week is going to unfold step by step and we will keep you updated as the bill progresses. Watch here for up to the minute updates. Our current strategy involves two rounds of phone calls.
The first starts now!
Monday: Contact your Assemblyperson and Senator.
1. Call your Assemblyperson and Senator.
Script: Hello, my name is ______ and I am a constituent. Please encourage the leadership of the (assembly / senate) to bring the bill to a floor vote and please vote for this bill.
2. Call the Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
518-455-3791 :: Ask him to move the bill to the floor for a full vote.
Script: Hello, my name is ______ and I urge Assembly Speaker Silver to move the Midwifery Modernization Act (A8117-A) to the floor for a full vote. Thank you.
3. Help Us Develop Strategy: Report Back Us
If you learn where your legislator stands please report your findings back to Free Our Midwives either by leaving a comment on this action alert,
letting us know on facebook or shoot us an email (jeanette@freeourmidwives.org).
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FAQ's
The majority of these calls will take less than 30 seconds and be without any questions. Just in case you do speak to your legislator and/or are asked a question, here is some info to help you.
If you can not answer a question, politely let them know that you will find out the answer and you or a representative will call them back with an answer. Please contact us immediately so we can quickly and effectively answer legislative concerns.
*Don't midwives need a written practice agreement to secure malpractice insurance?
No. Midwives can and do secure malpractice insurance in New York state without a written practice agreement.
*Don't midwives need to work and consult with doctors to ensure women's health and safety?
Yes! Midwives are obligated to consult, collaborate and/or transfer care to a higher level practitioner as soon as a birth shows signs that it is outside what is healthy and uncomplicated. A written practice agreement is unnecessary and the requirement for such an agreement creates a barrier for New York State women to receive the care they need from midwives.
*Without a written practice agreement what a will a midwife do for back-up?
Midwives can and do have supportive relationships with physicians without a written practice agreement. Back up plans are a necessary and integral part of midwifery care. Written practice agreements do not play a role in back up plans.
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We are continuously amazed at the outpouring of support we receive from all of you. We are full of gratitude for all you have done. These final actions will ensure that women and families across New York State will have access to the quality midwifery care they deserve.
We are making a difference.
Why did midwifery feel like a safer choice?
In what ways did your midwife ensure the safety of you and your baby during your pregnancy and labor?
If you had a positive collaboration with a physician during your pregnancy or labor please share.
If your ability to secure a midwife is compromised due to the written practice agreement please tell your story.
*************
Please don't share conflicts between doctors and midwives. This is not the time to share intimate details of your birth. We are looking to give real examples of how midwifery looks as a profession from a constituent point of view.
**************
Find your Assemblyperson here and your Senator here and share your answers with them via email.
We want to hear too! Copy and paste your emails in the comment section at the end of this post.
