********UPDATE (april 23th 2012)*********************************************
We will go before the committee on May 2nd at 9am. We will meet on the capital steps between 7 and 8am
********UPDATE (april 13th 2012)*********************************************
HB 947 is not on the agenda for the 18th as we had expected. We will keep checking to make sure it is not added at the last min but be looking for it to appear on the 25th. Please stay tuned and be ready to attend when it is called. You can check back here or refer to the Louisiana Natural Birth Facebook page. Thanks!
HERE is the link to the House of Reps, you can check the weekly agendas by clicking the links on the righthand sidebar.
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Dear Louisiana Natural Birth Supporters,
I am writing to ask that you join me in an effort to support House Bill 947 concerning midwifery laws in our state. The midwives of Louisiana have asked for our support in the way of letter writing, phone calls and your presence in front of the health and wellness committee on April 18th.
HB 947 concerns midwives providing out of hospital services to women. The bill will adopt national standards, the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) process from the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), to license midwives here in Louisiana. The bill also aims to lessen liability on a physician agreeing to see a midwife’s client, superimposing greater accountability on midwives. This bill does not do away with the required physician’s visit, which is something both mothers and midwives want, it does however aim to make that visit more accessible. We hope to continue on the path towards more autonomy for midwives, this bill is just one small step towards that long-term goal. By showing a strong presence at this legislative session and having our concerns heard we hope to gain momentum that will see us through till next year, at which time we will call on consumers again to support more aggressive change. The Louisiana College of Obstetrics and gynaecology recently sent out an email that revealed their intent to strongly oppose this bill, we need you there to show your support FOR this bill!
You can show your support in three ways, we ask that you do all three if possible.
- Please call the committee members and tell them to pass HB 947. If there is a member on the committee from your district it is imperative that you call them. Regardless of your district please call as many of the committee members as you can and ask them to support this bill.
- You can write a letter to the committee members. This is a chance for you, as a consumer, to express your desire to see the midwifery model of care remain accessible to women. Visit Louisiana Natural Birth’s FB Page for examples of letters that you may reference, and please post yours as well. HERE is another great resource regarding letter writing. It is said that just one letter from a constituent is worth TEN votes! Please write these letters TODAY and send them off ASAP, they need to be on the committee members desk BEFORE Wednesday the 18th. This IS important and your letter will make a difference, I know we are all busy mommas but I am pleading with you to please carve some time out today to show your support for this bill and for our midwives. Below are some things to consider when writing your letter.
- Make them personal and positive.
- Do not compare the new law to the old one. It is best not to ask for changes within it. For now, for these letters, we ask them to vote yes or no and tell them why.
- Ask them to Vote yes for HB 947.
- Cite safety, parents preference, cost savings along with your own personal reasons for choosing to use a midwife if that applies.
- This bill creates the mechanism of Certified Professional Midwife as the credential for licensing.
- The bill attempts to lessen liability for doctors who do help. That is one of the reasons that OB’s give for not helping now.
- Do not use the term LAY midwives. Use CPM, and tell what is so good about it. For example, the CPM is a skills based credential. It works.
- Point out safety stats from reliable sources, cite the source.
- Be positive.
- You can be present when we go before the committee on the 18th. The midwives will be asking for a small number of consumers to speak, but we also need a strong presence of supporters to simply stand up. Please come professionally dressed and leave kids at home, if you have to bring a nursling that is understandable (I will have my 9week old present). It is important to show up with strong numbers. Again you do not have to speak, you can simply be a face in the crowd and this will help make a difference. If you would like to speak please be prepared to answer our opposition with tact, poise, and facts. Speakers will need to remain positive and stress only what this bill will accomplish, mainly the CPM standard as our basis for licensure here in La. We will meet on the capital steps at 7am on Wednesday, the 18th.
The addresses and phone number for the committee members can be found HERE. You can also send your letter directly to the capital, where it might be read sooner. The address is as follows:
La. House of Representatives
Honorable XXX
P. O. Box 44486
Baton Rouge, La. 70804
Please email me at LouisianaNaturalBirth (@) Gmail (dot) com with any questions. If you would like to have your letter proofed please post on the LNB fb group or public page. If you will consider speaking up on the 18th please let us know ahead of time.
Thank you in advance for your support on this matter. I hope to see you on the steps of the capital next Wednesday!
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