Spring Mississippi Affiliate Meeting We are planning a Spring meeting in Hattiesburg on Sunday, April 13th at 1pm. We will discuss insurance reimbursement & practice issues, spend some time on new developments and opportunities, and meet some local birth workers. This is expected to be the best meeting turnout yet with travelers from Jackson, the Coast, Meridian, NOLA, and the Delta. Please contact Heather for directions.
If you are unable to attend please consider giving and supporting the affiliate in the form of a PAC donation. You and your membership may be asking "Remind us where the money goes?" Quite simply, the Midwives-PAC supports federal candidates from both parties who have supported midwifery in the past or who hold leadership positions on key committees where midwifery legislation will be referred. As a part of our strategic federal policy agenda, ACNM has a bill that would ensure midwives serve as full members of medical staff with respect to hospital privileges, as well as receiving reimbursement when supervising students in teaching facilities. Donations to the Midwives-PAC will help move these important bills forward. Mail a check and fill out this document. Feel free to contact Heather Murphy locally or Erin Biscone, Secretary for Midwives PAC BOD, with any questions ([email protected]).
Fall Mississippi Affiliate Meeting We had a great affiliate meeting. Thank you to our lovely presenters, Maranda Nybo and Sharon Diedrichsen for sharing the Gulf Coast birth center with us.
If you were unable to attend please consider giving and supporting the affiliate in the form of a PAC donation. You and your membership may be asking "Remind us where the money goes?" Quite simply, the Midwives-PAC supports federal candidates from both parties who have supported midwifery in the past or who hold leadership positions on key committees where midwifery legislation will be referred. As a part of our strategic federal policy agenda, ACNM has a bill that would ensure midwives serve as full members of medical staff with respect to hospital privileges, as well as receiving reimbursement when supervising students in teaching facilities. Donations to the Midwives-PAC will help move these important bills forward. Mail a check and fill out this document. Feel free to contact Heather Murphy locally or Erin Biscone, Secretary for Midwives PAC BOD, with any questions ([email protected]).
Legislative Events
We had a great meeting with Congressman Gregg Harper in Newton, MS a few weeks ago for Midwife Advocacy Month. Other members of his team including Larry Wert, Special Assistant for Veterans & Military Affairs Grants Coordinator, and Michael Cravens, Chief of Staff. Rush Hospital administrators Susan Turcotte, Director of Clinical Operations, and Rochelle Gaddis, Clinic Manager of Newton Family Health Clinic, were also in attendance. I was joined by Cathy Williamson, CNM one of the original CNMs at Rush Hospital.
Over about 45 minutes we toured the facility, discussing what nurse midwives do emphasizing that midwives provide high quality, cost-effective care in many of the rural areas of Mississippi. Cathy Williamson discussed the history of midwives in Mississippi when many midwives were trained in Jackson at UMMC in the 80s and 90s that closed during an administration change. Rush hospital has had a midwifery group for 19 years which is now comprised of 6 rural clinics, 6 full-time CNMs and several part-time CNMs who provide 24 hour coverage at the hospital also caring for all un-referred clients, and seeing pregnant patients in the emergency department.
More specifically we discussed (1) equitable reimbursement for primary care providers--Representative Bonamici (D-OR1) has introduced a bill, the "Protecting Access to Primary Care Act" HR 2986, that addresses this is a way to provide equal pay for equal service and attract more skilled providers to areas of shortage, (2) MOMS 21 bill and OB shortage areas since 60% of counties do not have an OB provider and the possibility of creating a separate bill to designate such OB shortage areas, (3) the fact that CNMs are not recognized providers by the Veterans Administration like other "mid-level providers" (4) establishment of performance measures in Medicaid and CHIP for maternity and newborn care under the Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act since over 63% of births in Mississippi are paid for by Medicaid. He shared interests with us in nutrition education and telemedicine and offered to have his legislative aid contact the VA immediately. The ultimate goal of establishing a relationship between a congressman and nurse midwife in the state of Mississippi was met!
They were very kind and receptive and appreciated making the connection with midwives who serve their district. Congressman Harper is on the Energy and Commerce Committee, meaning that he sees the Medicaid and public health type bills, and was impressed with the work of midwives.
Please let me know if you have any questions! Call or email your representatives in support of this legislation here! Here is a great example of how to build relationships with lawmakers from the ANA.
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