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| Updates from Ohio!
The Ohio Chapter is making steady progress in advancing midwifery legislation. Representative McClain, a dedicated supporter, has been promoted to Majority Whip in the House, bolstering the bill’s potential. The team recently met with Rep. McClain and is now awaiting the Legislative Service Commission’s (LSC) finalized draft, which incorporates their requested edits. In the Senate, sponsors have been identified and are preparing to introduce a companion bill.
During the last General Assembly, the bill concluded with an opponent testimony session where no opponents appeared, and ACOG submitted a polite and supportive Interested Party letter. These developments reflect the growing support for midwifery legislation in Ohio, and the chapter remains focused on moving forward. |
| | Advocating for Midwifery Licensure in Nebraska Homebirth has always been a part of Nebraska’s history, but midwives serving families in the state have faced a long legacy of persecution. Nebraska remains the ONLY state where Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are legally prohibited from attending homebirths. This same law has been used to oppress Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), who have been unfairly charged with practicing Certified Nurse Midwifery without a license due to the state’s refusal to recognize different types of midwives. Currently, there are two active cases involving CPMs, and in September, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that anyone practicing as a midwife must be licensed by the state—despite the fact that Nebraska does not offer licensure for CPMs.
The Nebraska CPM Alliance is determined to change this. They’ve authored LB374, a bill that would provide licensure for CPMs, protecting them from unfair prosecution and enabling them to serve families with greater safety and collaboration. If passed, the bill would allow CPMs to: Collaborate with the healthcare system Order tests and carry medications Suture tears and perform newborn screenings File birth certificates Attend births without fear of prosecution
LB374 would also encourage new midwives to enter the field in Nebraska and attract CPMs from other states who have been hesitant to work there. The bill has received positive feedback so far, though opposition from the Nebraska Medical Association is anticipated.
A hearing with the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee is scheduled for February 5th. Nebraska’s unicameral legislature means that if the HHS Committee advances the bill, it will proceed directly to the state’s legislative body for debate and voting by Nebraska Senators.
Follow the Nebraska CPM Alliance’s efforts and stay updated on Facebook at Facebook.com/nebraskacpms! |
| | Mississippi Midwifery Bill Advances! Congratulations to Better Birth Mississippi and the Association of Mississippi Midwives on successfully moving HB927, the "Mississippi Midwifery License Law," out of committee!
Mississippi faces some of the worst maternal health outcomes in the nation, ranking last for preterm births, with over half of its counties classified as maternity care deserts. The state also ranks 47th out of 50 on the Midwifery Integration Scoring System (MISS), which measures how well community midwives are integrated into regional health systems—an essential factor in improving birth outcomes.
If passed, HB927 would expand midwifery access, improve perinatal health outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs for families and the state. This is a major step forward for midwifery in Mississippi! |
| | Updates from North Carolina NCACPM wrapped up 2024 with a successful 15th Annual Oyster Tourney Fundraiser, raising $7,000. Half of the proceeds supported Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in Western North Carolina with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
Looking ahead to 2025, they have hired EQV Strategic, a lobbying firm to support their legislative work. The NC Child Fatality Task Force has endorsed convening stakeholder meetings on CPM licensure, with growing support from across the state. NCACPM is also planning key advocacy events, including a Legislative Breakfast featuring A Midwife Solution, a Rally & Legislative Advocacy Day in Raleigh, and a meeting with the NC Obstetric and Gynecological Society.
They also welcome Chautauqua Denean, a student midwife, to the board. With these developments, NCACPM is building momentum and appreciates all support in advancing their mission. |
| | Georgia Midwifery Licensing Efforts Move Forward The Georgia midwifery community has reached a milestone with the creation of the United Statement, a powerful document reflecting a unified commitment to inclusivity and collaboration. This statement signifies that midwives across Georgia have come together to support the proposed licensure bill.
We are excited to announce that Representative Karen Mathiak has agreed to sponsor the bill in the House. We expect to have a bill number and co-signers confirmed soon. However, there is a significant challenge in the Senate. A Senate Licensure Study Committee held over the summer determined that licensure can present a barrier to employment and recommended the revocation of some licenses deemed unnecessary. We will continue educating legislators on the essential skills and education required for midwifery to demonstrate the necessity of licensure. For now, we may not introduce the bill in the Senate until further groundwork is laid. Key upcoming events include: Lobby for Midwives Day: The 5th of February, coinciding with the legislative session, which begins January 27 (pending weather delays). PeachState Birth Expo: March 22nd, featuring a panel of perinatal professionals discussing the effectiveness of midwifery care and the need to integrate midwives into Georgia’s perinatal workforce.
Additionally, we launched chapter fundraising efforts with NACPM national and the help of their fiscal sponsor to support this critical legislative work. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to advocate for safe, equitable, and regulated midwifery care in Georgia! |
| | | |  | States Selected for the TMaH Model!
The Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model is a groundbreaking initiative investing up to $17 million per state to expand midwifery and doula services, increase provider capacity, and reduce maternal health disparities.
Fifteen states have been selected to lead this effort, receiving federal support to implement evidence-based strategies that prioritize midwifery-led, culturally responsive care. This is a major step toward equitable, whole-person maternal health care—one that aligns with NACPM’s vision for the future.
Why this matters: The TMaH Model recognizes midwives and doulas as key to improving outcomes, reinforcing what we already know—midwifery care saves lives.
NACPM will be following this initiative closely and sharing updates on how it supports the growth of midwifery-led care. |
| |  | Starting January 6, 2025, NACPM transitioned to a new membership platform and Green Bottle Membership Model, designed to make membership more accessible, flexible, and equitable. You may have already received an email about this exciting change, and we want to make sure you have all the details!
With Zeffy, our new no-cost platform, NACPM is saving $4,500 annually, allowing us to invest more in our members and advocacy efforts. The Green Bottle Membership Model offers a sliding scale that ensures everyone, regardless of financial situation, can participate.
What This Means for You:✅ Current Members: No action needed! You’ll receive renewal details when it’s time.
✅ New Members: Sign up today and choose the membership tier that works best for you!
Learn more and explore membership options here: Become an NACPM Member
Thank you for being part of the NACPM community as we continue to advance midwifery education, practice, and advocacy! |
| |  | | NACPM’s NEW Online Auction |
| | I am Lisa a midwife in Rhode Island, the smallest state in the US. I am raising funds for NACPM’s initiatives that support growing midwifery. This includes our TKT scholarship and Bigger Table Fund.
Growing midwifery is one of the integral solutions to our maternal and infant crisis and the sustainability of the midwifery profession. As a favorite kindergarten teacher always said-“many hands make light work.” We need more midwives to support families and so we |
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| need to support midwifery students by making scholarships and grants available to cover the costs- Books, transportation, tuition, childcare for students who are parents- being a student is expensive and students need us to show up to help them make the process doable. This kickoff to our monthly auction fundraiser is going to make NACPM fundraising fun, with great stuff, some made by midwives hands, and some incredible offerings that let midwives use their knowledge and skill to connect with their community- near and far.
My donation to the ongoing auction to raise funds is a handmade hot water bottle cover printed with everyone’s first bestie- the hardworking placenta! This hand carved placenta stamp and hand printed linen fabric was put together by midwives hands (your’s truly.) I have also included some herbal goodies including some loose Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, Locally grown and Midwife Made Glycerine Milky Oats Tincture, Wild Harvested Beach Rose Glycerine Tincture from the Atlantic Coast in RI, and a Honey and Oat Herbal Bath Soak with epsom salt. |
| | |  | VIEW OUR EVENT CALENDAR HERE If you or people in your network/community are hosting relevant events, or events that offer CEUs to midwives, please share this form with them so that we can feature their event on our calendar.
SUBMIT YOUR EVENT HERE Thank you for helping us showcase the incredible work happening in the midwifery community! |
| | NACPM is proud to be supported by hundreds of individual donors and these visionary foundations. |
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