Update: Access to Licensed Midwives Act of 2018

First, the bad news. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure an author to introduce CALM’s bill, the “Access to Licensed Midwives Act of 2018.”

The good news? Your calls and outreach to legislators drew lots of positive attention to licensed midwives and helped CALM solidify its support among key legislators at the Capitol. Thank you to everyone who reached out—your voices make a real difference!

And while the Bates bill from last session that would have severely limited access to out-of-hospital birth is officially “dead,” CALM is carefully watching for new legislative efforts to undermine midwifery and limit access to out-of-hospital maternity care. Stay tuned for updates on developments as they happen.

There is still much work to be done and there are a number of ways you can contribute:

1). Midwives and midwifery students: become a CALM member. CALM membership means you have the professional tools and legislative advocacy you need to support California families. CALM members enjoy workshops (like our upcoming members-only webinar on the 42 week rule), up-to-the-minute updates on legislation and ways to help shape and take action on our legislative agenda. Click here to learn more and get your member benefits while supporting CALM’s legislative agenda.

2). Please make a donation to CALM. While CALM functions primarily as a volunteer-led organization, the travel and other costs associated with maintaining a people presence in Sacramento add up quickly. CALM also relies on a small staff of part-time consultants whose expertise in social media, communications, Medi-Cal, legal, and legislative strategies have been instrumental in securing past victories and helping us lay the groundwork for future success. All contributions are gratefully accepted! Click here to donate.

CALM is in this for the long game. Fixing the problems in California’s licensed midwives law that deny families access to evidence-based care and keep the midwifery profession under the control of medicine won’t happen overnight. Together, we will make it happen!