MMA on NYS Legslator Agendas:Let’s Take it All Way!

OK, the amended Midwifery Modernization Act is finally on the NY State's Legislatures' Agendas for Monday, June 28th (it has been on my agenda for years...). Your support by phone call is still appreciated to make sure that your legislator know that you want this brought up for a vote and then voted for. Below is the latest posting from Free Our Midwives.org, a wonderful and dedicated group in the Ithaca, NY area. Let's get this done!

May all babies be born into loving hands...

K. Michelle Doyle, CNM, NYS LM
www.localcaremidwifery.com
www.localcaremidwifery.blogspot.com

Free Our Midwives.org

Let’s Take it All Way!

by admin on June 25, 2010

This is the big time folks! The Midwifery Modernization Act has been amended to satisfy legislators, midwives, doctors, and consumers — no easy task. It is now on the agenda meaning that it is eligible to be put to a full vote in the Assembly and the Senate on Monday! We need to keep the pressure on to assure it gets voted on and passed before the legislative session ends in the next few days.
For Friday:

1.  Call your Assemblyperson and Senator.

Find your Assemblyperson here and your Senator here and call them:

Script: Hello, my name is ______ and I am a constituent.  I am calling/writing to urge the Assemblyperson/Senator to please vote for the Midwifery Modernization Act (A8117-A/S5007-A) when it comes to the floor. The women and families of New York need this bill passed this session. Thank you so much!
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We will be on facebook all day today asking people to call and thank Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for his work on the bill and to urge him to bring it to the floor. We will continue to contact him by phone (518-455-3791) or email him until we have his full assurance of a full vote. Please watch for that information via facebook and keep us updated on your progress.
This has been a long haul for everyone, but standing here in the final moments with the bill poised to pass we want you to feel proud of how far we’ve come and empowered as we take these final steps.
We have come this far, let’s take it all the way! Please act now!
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Please consider taking a moment and donating to Free Our Midwives/BirthNet of the Finger Lakes.  All donations are used towards upkeep of this website, educational materials and outreach.

Dear NY Midwifery Supporter, letter from NYSALM

Here is a letter from Laura Sheperis, CM, President Extraordinaire of NYSALM.


May all babies be born into loving hands... 

K. Michelle Doyle, CNM, NYS LM
www.localcaremidwifery.com
www.localcaremidwifery.blogspot.com

Dear NY Midwifery Supporter,


As you most likely know, we have been working closely with midwives and midwifery supporters across the state to urge legislators to move the Midwifery Modernization Act (New York State bill S5007/A8117-a) to a full floor vote. We are entering the last week of this legislative session, and therefore a very crucial moment.


Some highlights so far:

·         We had a wonderful Lobby Day in April with a record number of participants, legislative visits, and overwhelming consumer support

·         Consumers created an amazing website, www.FreeOurMidwives.org

·         An online petition for the MMA has received over 4,600 signatures

·         The bill was voted out of the Higher Education Committee in both the Senate and Assembly and is now eligible for a full floor vote

·         We have an incredible number of co- and multi- sponsors in both houses

·         Despite a statewide focus on budget issues, our bill has continued to get attention from the media and legislators

·         The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) issued a press release urging passage of this legislation

·         Our sponsors, Assemblyman Richard Gottfried and Senator Thomas Duane, have committed to making this a priority issue


A big thank you to everyone who has worked hard to move this legislation forward! If you have not already done so, please contact your legislators and urge them to bring this bill to a full vote immediately! This is our last week and our last chance for this legislative session.


There is a wealth of information about the MMA on our website. Visit www.NYSALM.org/mma.htm. Please consider joining NYSALM as an associate member or donating to the cause if you can. Visit www.nysalm.org/donate.htm.

Reply to this letter or give us a call at 518.852.7965 for more information.

In the midwifery spirit,

Laura Sheperis, CM, MS
Midwife
NYSALM President

Another posting from Free Our Midwives.org on the Midwifery Modernization Act. We are so close!


May all babies be born into loving hands...

K. Michelle Doyle, CNM, NYS LM
www.localcaremidwifery.com
www.localcaremidwifery.blogspot.com



FreeOurMidwives.org

We Love New York

by admin on June 21, 2010

Welcome to Monday and New York State politics!!! As of this writing, it looks like a budget deal will be voted on soon, meaning that we are nearing the end of the legislative session. The original Midwifery Practice Act of 1992 passed during the last 15 minutes of the legislative session! We believe that the MMA will be no different.
We are in great shape and we have lots of support. It is nothing short of astonishing that we are where we are. All of us — midwives, consumers, advocates, supportive doctors — have brought us to this moment. We have asked you to engage in this process, and you have all done so energetically, joyfully, and effectively.
We will likely only ask you to act one more time and when that time comes, it will probably require a super-quick-drop-everything-for-5-minutes-and-call kind of response. No one knows exactly when that moment will be.
Let’s all stand at the ready so we can mobilize quickly when the call comes out.

Comic for You

May all babies be born into loving hands... 

K. Michelle Doyle, CNM, NYS LM
www.localcaremidwifery.com
www.localcaremidwifery.blogspot.com

MMA Update: MMA is in the News

Here is the latest update from Free Our Midwives.org. Have a great weekend. Kiss a father! 

May all babies be born into loving hands... 

K. Michelle Doyle, CNM, NYS LM
www.localcaremidwifery.com
www.localcaremidwifery.blogspot.com

FreeOurMidwives.org

Preserving Safe & Healthy Birth Choices for New York Families

MMA is in the News

by admin on June 18, 2010

Thursday was Midwifery Modernization Act in the news day!  The physician trade organization, The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) held a press conference in Albany today, voicing strong opposition – not surprising, but still disappointing! Their comments revealed a clearly misinformed  understanding of midwifery as a profession, the role of the written practice agreement,  and the current maternity care crisis confronting New York State women in the face of restricted access to midwives.  Fortunately, NYSALM was prepared (thanks in part to a Free Our Midwives consumer who shared with us the ACOG press release in advance).  We reached out to reporters across Albany and New York State with the truth – midwifery is safe and the written practice agreement does not enhance the safety of mothers or babies.  The result?  Balanced coverage that did not just echo ACOG’s party line.
It is important for us to remember, as we contact legislators and speak with our friends and family about this bill, that the  MMA will change nothing  about how midwives practice and consult with physicians. A written practice agreement does not ensure the safety of women and babies. It is the midwifery model of care, including collaboration and consultation with physicians as needed, that provides for the excellent outcomes we see with midwife-attended birth.

For Friday:

1. Check out the New York Times article that just came out and leave a comment.
2. Pat yourself on the back – we are all doing a great job keeping the consumer energy strong and present while lobbyists and midwives work on the ground in Albany.
We will be on facebook all day tomorrow with updates and requests for specific constituent contact as the needs arise.
Together we will see this bill to the floor and watch it pass! Have a great weekend everyone — your hard work is so appreciated.
**************

Avalon Marie

Sweet Avalon is petite and charming. However, at 6 pounds, 11 ounces, she is not as tiny as her daddy's huge hand makes her seem. Welcome, Avalon!

May all babies be born into loving hands...
 
 K. Michelle Doyle, CNM, NYS LM
www.localcaremidwifery.com
www.localcaremidwifery.blogspot.com

MMA Update: Wednesday is Tell Your Story Day

Here is the latest update in the Midwifery Modernization Act game plan: We are still waiting for the bill to be presented for a vote to the NY State Assembly and then the Senate. Support always appreciated. As outlined below by Free Our Midwives, personal stories are very effective. Pray, breathe, think good thoughts and contact a legislator or two!

May all babies be born into loving hands....
 
K. Michelle Doyle, CNM, NYS LM
www.localcaremidwifery.com
www.localcaremidwifery.blogspot.com

FreeOurMidwives.org

Preserving Safe & Healthy Birth Choices for New York Families

Wednesday is Tell Your Story Day

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.

(Go to the following link: freeourmidwives.org/)