08/21/2020
https://www.facebook.com/1587702621/posts/10220347162580997/?extid=KWtn2t1oQXTzmWft&d=n
UPDATE: SB 1237 was to be voted on by the full Assembly this past Monday August 24th, but that didn't happen.
IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE VOTED ON TODAY, WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26TH.
The upside is, this gives us an opportunity to reach Californians who have yet to contact their Assemblyperson asking them to vote NO on SB 1237.
So, call your Assemblymember now and share this post!
We must stop SB 1237 from passing in the Assembly (it has already passed in the Senate) and moving on to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
This is our final push before it goes to vote in the Assembly.
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It breaks our hearts to be on the other side from CNMs who provide such excellent care to families around the state.
But it isn't just us opposing SB 1237. There are thousands of people who have actually read the bill and looked to experts who can analyze it.
Have you noticed that the California Medical Association (CMA) and ACOG are neutral on SB 1237? It's because SB 1237 is just what they wanted: restriction of care to midwives.
As an affiliate of the American Medical Association, CMA is bound by its Scope of Practice Partnership to aggressively oppose state legislation that expands scope for non-physician providers, in particular bills that confer independent practice.
CMA’s silence on SB 1237—and its role in crafting its long list of amendments—speaks volumes.
SB 1237 does not expand CNMs’ scope of practice; it constricts it.
SB 1237 does not provide for independent practice; it keeps CNMs dependent on physicians.
If you want to dig into this bill, this analysis authored by three Black-led organizations takes you point by point all the reasons why we oppose SB 1237: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xF0PWN7N2s4q6SKdvHtx1y0NteklM-Zi/edit?fbclid=IwAR2RUMCh26AHvlpkdNfvx3jq-wdnTWc674uCn1YaAtgDXOSCGtOM9-L3n-Q
Here are the most poignant quotes: https://www.facebook.com/CAMidwivesFoundation/posts/2370773716559596
One of the fundamental problems is that this bill does not actually remove physician supervision. It just replaces it with practice guidelines signed by a physician.
Anytime a physician's signature is required for a CNM to practice, it reduces access to care.
This is especially true for BIPOC who are more likely to be classified as moderate or high risk as well as those who want to plan a vaginal birth after cesarean. More here: https://www.facebook.com/CAMidwivesFoundation/posts/2370659396571028
Here are our thoughts on the patient autonomy clause: https://www.facebook.com/CAMidwivesFoundation/posts/2370795733224061
Here are our concerns regarding privacy: https://www.facebook.com/CAMidwivesFoundation/posts/2370795733224061
And cost: $3.6 million to set up and then $400,000 annually!! More here: https://www.facebook.com/CAMidwivesFoundation/photos/rpp.1727234627580178/2376905215946446/?type=3&theater
We have had many extensive conversations with CNMA and while they believe SB 1237 is a step forward, we believe SB 1237 is several steps back.
It is disingenuous to pretend like this bill provides CNMs with autonomous practice. It doesn't.
We fear the implications that this bill can have for all midwives in the state.
CNMs have given up a lot to CMA and ACOG to the detriment of birthing families in California.
That is why the bill's author actually THANKED CMA and ACOG for their work on this bill and CNMs for their concessions when it passed the Assembly Business & Professions committee.
CMA and ACOG - who represent physicians - should not have so much influence over a midwifery bill when their only objective is to maintain control over midwives and protect the profession of physicians.
We wish CNMA would see that and be honest about what this bill will do.
When there is a bill that truly enables CNMs to practice autonomously without threatening patient autonomy, we will be the first in line to support that bill.
SB 1237 is not that bill.
We need everyone who cares about access to midwifery care to send an email TODAY to the Assembly committee on Appropriations at approps.committee@assembly.ca.gov and ask them to vote NO on SB 1237!
