The Massachusetts Coalition for Midwifery

Bringing consumers and midwives together to advocate for midwifery in Massachusetts
Home      
What Is the Massachusetts Coalition for Midwifery?

Three midwifery advocacy organizations make up the Coalition: the Massachusetts Midwives Alliance, Mass Friends of Midwives, and the American College of Nurse-Midwives, Eastern and Western Mass Chapters.The Coalition works together to support legislation to ensure that all Massachusetts women have access to high-quality midwifery care.


Our legislative goal for 2009-2010 is passage into law of

The Purpose of the Bill is to have the Commonwealth set standards for the practice of midwifery in Massachusetts.  The bill creates a Board of Registration of Midwifery, which will regulate the practice of Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), Certified Midwives (CMs), and Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs).


Thank you--YOUR LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY GENERATED OVER 60 CO-SPONSORS FOR THIS IMPORTANT BILL!
You can read the bill here (with sponsor list)
What's Happening Now?

The legislature has a two-year session. In 2009, bills have been assigned to committees to be studied and for public hearings. This bill was heard by the Joint Committee on Public Health in July, and the Committee will act over the winter to decide what it will do with all of the bills it has heard. A "favorable report" is the outcome that will move this bill forward to the Joint Committee of Health Care Finance. There is at least one more committee before the bill moves to floor action in either chamber.

The Coalition is promoting this bill with the leadership of the Committees, and is preparing for the next hearing and for lobbying after that. By July 31, 2009, the bill must receive favorable reports from all Committees and pass both chambers of the Legislature.

The legislative session "breaks" from Nov. 18 until Jan. 2, 2010. The legislators will be in the districts, many visible and seeking re-election. This is a good time to schedule a visit with your legislators. Hearing from voters is ABSOLUTELY THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTIVITY REQUIRED TO PASS THIS BILL.

CAN WE COUNT ON YOU?
How Can I Help?

  • Join the member groups so we can keep you personally up-to-date on the bill's progress, and contact you at critical times for active lobbying. THESE WILL OCCUR PERIODICALLY BETWEEN NOW AND AUGUST. The groups welcome activist energy and support!
  • Make sure you know who represents you in the MA House and Senate; call to tell them you want this bill to pass.





QUESTIONS?? Contact us