Access to VBAC: 44% of California hospitals do NOT ‘permit’ women to labor after a previous C-section in 2012

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2013 Apr 3;13(1):83. [Epub ahead of print] A survey of access to trial of labor in California hospitals in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the 2010 NIH and ACOG recommendations encouraging greater access to TOLAC, 44% of California hospitals do not allow TOLAC. Of the 56% allowing TOLAC, 10.8% report fewer than 3% VBAC births.… Continue reading Access to VBAC: 44% of California hospitals do NOT ‘permit’ women to labor after a previous C-section in 2012

Reframing the Midwife-Physician Relationship: wise words from Sen. Gordon – Chair, Sunset Review ~ Part 1

For 20 years following the Bowland Decision we thought restoring the legacy practice of traditional midwifery was IMPOSSIBLE, but in 1993 we finally prevailed.   For the next 20 years we were told that restoring the independent nature of midwifery was totally IMPROBABLE. While sustained efforts by midwives, Senator Figueroa, Dr Fantozzi, Anita Scuri and many others moved the ball down the way down… Continue reading Reframing the Midwife-Physician Relationship: wise words from Sen. Gordon – Chair, Sunset Review ~ Part 1

Newest language for AB 1308 – proposed LMPA amendment #4, 1st that did NOT originate with LMs

Introduced by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla on Feb 22nd Most recent up-date ~ 03.21.13 This is the latest version. It is moving through committees of both Houses of the Legislature as we speak. The key to reading ‘mark-up’ language is simple: Text in the color BLACK means ‘no change’ from existing law; BLUE means new and RED means ‘strike-through’… Continue reading Newest language for AB 1308 – proposed LMPA amendment #4, 1st that did NOT originate with LMs

The California Legislature Finds & Declares ~ Intent language of LMPA (SB 350) and SB 1479 (Figueroa-amendment)

When thinking about the ‘relationship between midwives and physician’s as defineMPA’s mandated supervision requirement in the 1993 LMPA’s, I’d like to ask legislators and other policy-makers one important question: “Does classifying the legacy (traditional, non-nurse) practice of midwifery as a medically-supervised discipline carry out the plainly stated Legislative Intent of the LMPA (SB 350) and Senator Figueroa’s… Continue reading The California Legislature Finds & Declares ~ Intent language of LMPA (SB 350) and SB 1479 (Figueroa-amendment)

Text of AB 1308 — a shocker!

AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 21, 2013 California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session ASSEMBLY BILLNo. 1308 Introduced by Assembly Member Bonilla February 22, 2013 An act begin insert to amend Sections 2507 and 2508 of the Business and Professions Code,end insert relating to professions and vocations. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST AB 1308, as amended, Bonilla. Midwifery. Existing law, the Licensed Midwifery Practice… Continue reading Text of AB 1308 — a shocker!

Models of Effectiveness in Maternity Care: Saving Millions w/ Midwives & Birth Centers

Mayri Leslie Assistant Professor, George Washington University School of Nursing Huffington Post: 03/11/2013 10:47 am When Buckminster Fuller said “call me trimtab” he was referring to the power one small part of the rudder system has to turn a great ship of state: Witness the results of a new study on midwife-led care of over… Continue reading Models of Effectiveness in Maternity Care: Saving Millions w/ Midwives & Birth Centers

holding for rational basis w/ logical criteria for classifying btw non-physician practitioners as “physician-extenders”

Cal govt. code section 11349.1 that requires regulations to conform to the following 6 criteria: necessity, authority, clarity, consistency, reference, and non-duplication http://transform.childbirthconnection.org/reports/liability/ Fact Sheet #1 for Stakeholders from Maternity Care and Liability Report * Problem: The liability system poorly serves maternity care providers, childbearing women and families, and those who pay for maternity care.… Continue reading holding for rational basis w/ logical criteria for classifying btw non-physician practitioners as “physician-extenders”

My comments on yesterday’s Mfry Council meeting and ACOG’s proposed bill (AB 1308)

This is a re-posting of the last half of yesterday’s report on the Council meeting.  I am troubled by ACOG’s proposals for a couple of reasons As many of you know, I organized a professional liability insurance consortium that covered 55 LMs and CNMs providing OOH birth in three states (Ca, NM, Fla) for three… Continue reading My comments on yesterday’s Mfry Council meeting and ACOG’s proposed bill (AB 1308)

Midwifery Council Report ~ March 14th ~ ACOG introduces Bill to amend LMPA: changes in LMAR & require malpractice insurance for CaLMs

Sunset Review reports provided by Medical Board staff, ACOG lobbyist, and the CMA TIme line for Sunset Review bill ~ language not available until April, must be passed by June 6th ACOG introduces AB 1308 to amend LMPA and ideas for malpractice coverage of midwives under the Affordable Care Act 2009 (Obama care) Faith Gibson… Continue reading Midwifery Council Report ~ March 14th ~ ACOG introduces Bill to amend LMPA: changes in LMAR & require malpractice insurance for CaLMs

Sunset Review Committee makes “relationship btw midwives & physicians” one of its top 4 priorities

Good news for CaLMs — we had a great (and unexpected!) outcome at yesterday’s hearing. We’d been lead to believe that the Senate B&P Committee was not willing to take on any “controversial” issues, which altogether eliminated addressing the midwife-physician supervision problem. For the first 5 1/2 hours of the hearing there was not a single… Continue reading Sunset Review Committee makes “relationship btw midwives & physicians” one of its top 4 priorities