In early August, NACPM attended the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in Boston, Massachusetts, where more than 9,000 legislators, staffers, advocates, lobbyists, and vendors gathered to share ideas and policy solutions.
Our booth stayed busy, with lawmakers and advocates stopping by to learn more about midwifery care in the United States and more specifically about Certified Professional Midwives! Many of these conversations centered on concerns about perinatal care deserts and rural health access. Legislators from across the political spectrum were eager to talk about how CPMs could be part of the solution. Even more importantly, several lawmakers were eager to talk to each other–they emphasized the need to engage colleagues across party lines, noting that midwifery care is a bipartisan issue—one of the few areas where genuine collaboration is both necessary and possible to achieve shared goals.
We connected with legislators and staff from Nebraska, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Washington, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio, North Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas, Virginia, Delaware, Missouri, Rhode Island, Vermont, and of course, Massachusetts. Engagement was so high that by the end of the first day, we had run out of handouts and had to reprint materials overnight. Attendees especially enjoyed finding their state on our national licensure map and learning what midwifery access currently looks like for families in their communities in our Licensed Midwifery Access and Equity Reports.
In states that already have licensure, a few clear themes emerged when explaining how to optimize midwifery access and quality:
Workforce: We discussed state level investment in the development of the midwifery workforce. In particular, legislators in Washington State and New Mexico were curious to learn more.
Reimbursement: We showed legislators what Medicaid is reimbursing physicians, compared to CPMs and emphasized the importance of sustainability through appropriate reimbursement. Delaware was very interested in expanding Medicaid payment to Licensed Midwives.
Scope: Many legislators didn’t know exactly what we do, which was a great opportunity to explain all of the many kinds of care CPMs can and do provide. We discussed the ways that states can ensure optimal utilization of midwives by empowering them to practice to the full scope of the credential.
We are already scheduling follow-up meetings this fall to continue these important conversations.
We were also excited to see our colleagues from the American Association of Birth Centers, DONA International, and Grow Midwives at their booths, helping to elevate the broader conversation about midwifery, doula support, and birth centers. Together, our presence underscored the cohesion and breadth of the midwifery and perinatal health community.
Outside of the conference itself, NACPM gathered with Massachusetts midwives, birth center leaders, and advocates for an evening of conversation and connection. In addition, Executive Director Cassaundra Jah met with the Wagner Group, one of the visionary foundations supporting our work.
We left NCSL deeply energized—motivated to engage the legislators, inspired by the passion of our colleagues, and captivated by the possibility of new partnerships. The conference affirmed what we already know: midwives are essential to solving the perinatal health crisis in the US. Collaborations like those developed and strengthened at this conference allow us to build momentum toward the future of accessible, sustainable, autonomous midwifery care for all communities.
