Assembly OKs Plan to Give Midwives More Freedom to Practice

The Midwife Modernization Act, designed to remove a key barrier to access safe midwifery care, has cleared the state Assembly.

It will no longer be a requirement for licensed professional midwives to have a "written practice agreement" with a physician or hospital as a prerequisite to practice, according to Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, D-New City. The legislation ensures the highest professional standards while expanding consumer access to specialized healthcare, he said.

"Midwives can be instrumental in the health care of pregnant women and the passage of this bill will facilitate this relationship," said Zebrowski, "This legislation opens the door for midwives and will allow them to practice in New York without this administrative obstacle."

Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, D-Suffern, said many women wrote to her about the wonderful experiences they've had with midwives in Rockland County, and their  stories showed her the necessity of this legislation.

"I was pleased to work closely with Assemblymembers Richard Gottfried, Deborah Glick, and Barbara Lifton in assuring passage of this legislation," said Jaffee.

Rockland County Legislator Connie Coker, a retired licensed midwife, said, "I very much appreciate the successful efforts by Assemblywoman Jaffee and Assemblyman Zebrowski to protect quality and accessible women's health care. Their sponsorship of the Midwifery Modernization Act was instrumental in its passage and guarantees that women have the right to choose their health care provider when pregnant or for gynecological care."

Jaffee and Zebrowski co-sponsored the bill which will affect 1,300 licensed midwives performing services today. New York State joins 15 other states who already allow midwives to practice without a written agreement.