Against all odds the legislation is moving!!! Over the next few weeks there will be a few critical times to act. The first is RIGHT NOW!
The current two-year legislative session draws to a close at the end of June so all legislation must pass in the next few weeks. We are excited to announce that the MMA is taking a critical step -- a vote in both the Assembly and the Senate Higher Education Committees early this week. This essential step will lead to a vote on the floor in both chambers of the legislature. This is amazing news!
We've heard from NYSALM who is organizing the on-the-ground efforts that the consumer voice has been critical in moving key legislators. Thank you for all you have done so far. Now we need to keep up the pressure. By the end of the month New York State women and families could have access to safe, high quality midwifery care.
Take Action On Monday!
1. Contact Your Legislators (
Find your legislators, sample letters, phone scripts and details here.)
All legislators need to hear from us. A faxed letter is best (
Fax numbers of legislators). Email works too. Please follow your letters with a phone call.
We've heard from other legislative movements around the country that a legislator hearing from as few as two constituents has made a huge difference. If you haven't had a chance to send a letter now is better than ever. If you have already contacted your legislator please do it again.
Day by day we will be learning which legislators support the MMA and who we need to move. We will be giving daily updates on our facebook page.
Find us here, "like us", and watch for more detailed action steps. (Not on facebook? No worries--
just contact your legislators by fax, email and/or phone.)
2. Spread the Word
Tell your friends, your playgroup, your mother. Update your facebook status, tweet it loud and share on listserves.
If the MMA does not pass now we will be back to square one come next year. Make our effort count by passing this call to action around our entire state. Who do you know that can help?
3. Contact Your Supportive Doctor
The MSSNY (The Medical Society of the State of New York) has urged their members to oppose the MMA. Supportive and informed doctors have already begun to speak up in favor of the MMA. Please urge your doctor to do the same. Watch for a sample letter coming soon.
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IMPORTANT! There is a new update! We need to flood the entire Higher Education Committee with consumer support from now until 11:30 am tomorrow. Read here to learn more specifics!
Together, we are a community supporting our midwives who in turn support our families. We can create a stronger, healthier New York for women and their babies. Thank you for being a part of this movement.
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
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.
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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.
We had an amazing response to last week's
action alert and it's all because of you! Thank you to everyone who took the time to pass on the alert and thank you to everyone who called and emailed.
It was crucial timing because the ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) were in Albany telling legislators to limit our access to midwifery. Thanks to your swift, clear action and clear voices we reminded our legislators that New York State citizens want access to the excellent and professional care midwives provide.
Passing the MMA (Midwifery Modernization Act) will give us that access. The state wide community here at Free Our Midwives will not rest until this important legislation is passed.
Last week we had over 3,000 page views here at Free Our Midwives! We received dozens of emails and facebook updates about your experiences with legislators. Assemblywoman Glick has received 700 letters from voters in her district in support of the MMA! A staff member of Senator Stavisky told callers that they had been inundated with phone calls all week! You all are amazing! We want to hear more about your experiences;
please leave a comment on the Action Alert so we can keep track of our progress.
We've also learned that many legislators are confused about the details of the bill. Some erroneously think it would expand a midwife's scope of practice. Free Our Midwives is working alongside
NYSALM (New York Association of Licensed Midwives) and
Choices in Childbirth to help correct this misconception. This is critical because it could help move the legislation out of the Higher Education Committee, an important step to the MMA's passage.
Next Steps
Help keep up the beat in Albany! If you have not called or emailed yet,
please do so now! If you feel inclined to write again, please do!
Have you sent in a picture to the photo project showing your support for the MMA? If not, please do! We are preparing to send key legislators the pictures to drive our point home. The more the better! Are you subscribed to this site yet? We keep it simple and don't clutter your inbox. Legislators have specifically asked to hear from consumers and this is one way we can be counted!
Please subscribe for free today.
When you do call and email please emphasize that the MMA does not change or expand a midwife's scope of practice. The MMA simply removes a useless barrier to access for New York women, babies and families.
2. Spread the Word
Tell your friends, your playgroup, your mother. Update your facebook status, tweet it loud and share on listserves.
If the MMA does not pass now we will be back to square one come next year. Make our effort count by passing this call to action around our entire state. Who do you know that can help?
3. Contact Your Supportive Doctor
The MSSNY (The Medical Society of the State of New York) has urged their members to oppose the MMA. Supportive and informed doctors have already begun to speak up in favor of the MMA. Please urge your doctor to do the same. Watch for a sample letter coming soon.
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