Fight for Midwifery law in NY State

http://www.wten.com/Global/story.asp?S=12298092

An article forwarded to me by a friend. Right now, New York requires midwives to practice with an OB instead of independently. The bill, Midwifery Modernization Act, would allow midwives to practice independently, as they do in many other states, including mine. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists opposes the bill. So I feel the need to editorialize. Nearly everything that I've read about the ACOG points to them continuously trying to obstruct the practice of midwives. Despite the fact that midwifery care tends to have better results than OB care in non-high risk pregnancies. While there is a reason to go to an ob if you're pregnant (such as, you are at high risk), for most women a midwife would be a healthier, and cheaper option. Unfortunately, due to the obstruction of the ACOG, there aren't that many places in this country that have a full range of options. Many areas are completely deviod of midwives, and most other places require that they only deliver in hospitals, or birth centers attached to hospitals. This can artificially inflate the price of delivery. Anyway, keep an eye on this and any developments in your own communities and states to help or hinder midwifery practices. And remember, our lawmakers need to know that safe, affordable midwifery care is important to us!