The MMS would like to be recorded in opposition to H.1948
and S.1332, identical legislation to require the establishment of a Board of
Registration in Midwifery to license and regulate professional midwives.
H.1948 and S.1332 proposes a Board of 8 persons within the
Division of Professional Licensure, 5 of whom would be midwives newly licensed
by the passage of these bills, one would be a nurse midwife and one would be a
member of the public. Only one would be a licensed physician. The MMS does not believe this proposed Board
composition would provide the appropriate “checks and balances” necessary to
oversee the licensure of a new category of health care provider. Previous versions of this bill put the
Midwifery Board under the Board of Registration in Medicine. While the MMS opposed that bill, it did
support the involvement of the Board of Registration in Medicine.
Under the proposed law midwives would be allowed to order
and interpret clinical tests and to obtain and administer certain medications. Midwives
would be allowed to practice independently, without the supervision of, or in
collaboration with, any other health care provider – in any practice
setting. It does not require midwives
to carry malpractice insurance. MassHealth would be required to provide
coverage for midwifery services, including prenatal care, childbirth and
postpartum care, again, regardless of the site of service. The Massachusetts
Medical Society opposes the state’s public endorsement through the licensure
process the ability of a midwife to prescribe certain medications and order
tests and images without proper education and training.
Nationally recognized, accredited education which meets the
clinical needs of all patients and meaningful professional certification must
be prerequisites of any state license.
The state’s historical role protecting the health and safety of citizens
must be rigorously defended. The Commonwealth must not undermine the quality of
health care through licensing poorly trained individuals.
The MMS respects a woman's right to choose between a
diversity of health care professionals and settings, but also recognizes the
safest location for birth is a hospital or birthing center due to the
unforeseen and life-threatening crises that could cause serious injury and harm
to a woman and her newborn, such as severe maternal bleeding and fetal delivery
problems. A free choice is an informed
choice. By providing state licensure to untrained or minimally trained midwives,
the state is inserting its stamp of approval and influencing the choice of
prospective mothers in an unsafe and deceptive way. We urge the Committee not
to approve House 1948 and Senate 1332.
