With feedback from our state chapter leaders and others, we are adding a new tool “How to Work Successfully with a Lobbyist” and several reference documents regarding the integration of midwives and midwifery care in the maternity care system.

Most states report that working with a professional lobbyist is one of several critical factors in their legislative success. Unfortunately, we’ve heard too many stories of groups that didn’t engage the best person for their purpose or didn’t really know how to work effectively with their lobbyist — wasting precious time, money, and even political support. NACPM’s new tool describes the criteria for selecting a lobbyist; clarifying goals and exercising appropriate control over the legislative efforts and strategy; clearly defining expectations, including costs; and regularly evaluating the association-lobbyist partnership.

Reference documents now available include the “Best Practice Guidelines: Transfer from Planned Home Birth to Hospital” and other guidelines or projects developed by perinatal collaboratives and various midwifery associations.

Our members have also requested that NACPM provide a statement on scope of practice. Our Legislative and Policy team is reviewing our core documents, as well as descriptions provided by the North American Registry of Midwives and official statements by the International Confederation of Midwives and other professional associations to prepare an updated definition for CPMs. Look for this to be finalized and added to the toolkit next month.

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