Medicare Equity Legislation Introduced, Midwives Applaud

The ACNM – American College of Nurse-Midwives applauded the bipartisan introduction of the Midwifery Care Access and Reimbursement Equity Act of 2009. The ACNM is the oldest womens health organization in the country. The legislation (H.R. 1101) will allow improved access to the health services for women which are offered by Certified Nurse Midwives and Certified Midwives.

This is to happen by a correction of the inequity of the reimbursement rate between midwives and Medicare program licenced health care professionals. The primary care services are of very high quality (the ones provided by CM’s and CNM’s) and therefore equitable reimbursement and making sure that their services are available to women is essential.
A major problem in the US is health care disparities. Midwives care for those with a high risk or health disparities. This step is being passed as part of the CHAMP act. It is eagerly awaited to be signed into law by President Obama. Midwives worked at the grassroots for passage of this bill.

Both womens health and midwives will benefit as a result of this bill. Here are some statistics. CNM’s and CM’s attended to 317,168 births in 2006.