Access to out-of-hospital maternity care will be significantly limited if this new legislation is passed. The bill, SB 457 (Bates), drastically reduces the scope of practice for both Licensed Midwives and Certified Nurse-Midwives and severely restricts access to out-of-hospital maternity care for all families in the state of California. SB 457 is sponsored by physician groups and authored by State Senator Pat Bates. Click here for the full language of the bill.
CALM is opposed because:
This bill mandates that women with potential risk factors who are planning an out-of-hospital birth must undergo a medical examination by an OB/GYN and seek their permission to remain under midwifery care. Midwives who continue to provide care without physician permission will be charged with unprofessional conduct. Physicians will be under no obligation to provide these exams.
This bill denies out-of-hospital midwifery care to women who have had either a cesarean section or any other previous abdominal surgery. These restrictions include laparoscopy or laparotomy for a broad range of conditions, from hernia and appendicitis to gall bladder removal, regardless of whether or not the surgery presents additional risk for childbearing.
This bill mandates that women must give birth in the hospital if they live more than 20 minutes from a hospital, which will impose even more limits on access to care for California’s rural families.
This bill strikes down current law that gives Licensed Midwives the legal ability to obtain both routine and life-saving tests and medications, putting mothers and babies at unnecessary risk.
This bill strikes down current law allowing Licensed Midwives and Certified Nurse Midwives practicing out-of-hospital to provide family planning services, denying women access to fundamental and essential reproductive healthcare.
This bill represents a major setback for maternal and infant health in the state of California by denying families access to care, violating their personal decision-making rights, and imposing state-mandated obstetrical care on women who are seeking out-of-hospital birth, midwifery, and other safe and cost-effective models of care.
Take action today to STOP this anti “out-of-hospital birth” legislation
Take five minutes now to stop SB 457 (Bates), anti “out-of-hospital birth” legislation that will severely limit access to midwifery.
What: Call your state senator TODAY
The message: Please ask your state senator to vote NO on SB 457.
(Please do not call other state senators – only yours!)
How: Click here to find your California State Senator.
Is it hard? NO! You will likely speak to a legislative aide or staffer who records calls like yours all day long. No long conversations needed – it usually takes less than 90 seconds of call time.
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