Jeanine, Mindy and myself from BuffaloBirth Network also went to Lobby Day (and had the privilege of hanging out with Amy and Willa – Hi Girls!!) It was a very amazing and fulfilling day, to be sure!

 

I just spoke with my sister, who worked as an aid to Kemp Hannon (Nassau) in the Assembly for 10 years.  I asked her how effective letter-writing campaigns were and how many would make it more effective.  She said that it usually takes about 25 letters to get a representative’s attention, and about 100 to convince them that it’s what “the people” want.   I’ll be posting a sample consumer letter to the BuffaloBirth website later today, so I’ll email the link when it’s up – but this is such a critical issue, and it is so exciting to see that it is coming to fruition – if you do nothing else political this year, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make sure you contact your representatives and tell them you want them to pass S5007, the “Midwifery Modernization” bill!!

 

-Rachel in Buffalo

 

 

Willa and I were in Albany yesterday lobbying for the new bill submitted by NYSALM to eliminate the written practice agreement!
What a day!
more to come!
Amy
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ttp://www.legislativegazette.com/day_item.php?item=844

 

 

 

The Day In Albany

Midwives in Albany seeking professional independence

Monday May 4 11:10 AM

By KATRINA KIELTYKA, Gazette staff writer

     A desire to see legislation passed that would give midwives more autonomy in their profession brought members of the New York State Association of Licensed Midwives to Albany today to lobby legislators and educate them on the work of midwives.
     Currently, in order to practice midwifery, a midwife must have a signed agreement from a physician that guarantees a collaborative practice between the two. However, NYSALM, arguing that midwives are competent enough to practice completely independently, is supporting the passage of the Midwife Modernization Act, which would do away with the written agreement requirement and, according to the midwives, expand access to health care for women around the state.
     The bill (S.5007) was introduced by Senate Health Committee Chairman Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, on April 27 and is scheduled to be introduced by Assembly Health Committee Chairman Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan, in the next week.
     “This is a legislative effort that will take some doing,” Gottfried told the midwives before their lobby visits, “but it’s important and worth doing.”

 

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