Support Increases For Midwifery Care Legislation
The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) applauds the support of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for the "Midwifery Care Access and Reimbursement Equity Act of 2007," (S.507/H.R.864). This legislation, introduced by Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Rep. Ed Towns (D-NY) and Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), will improve access for Medicare beneficiaries to the vital women's health services offered by certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs).
"It's important that we work together to strengthen and support collaborative ob-gyn/certified nurse-midwife practice arrangements, which benefit our patients in many ways," said Doug Laube, MD, ACOG President, in ACOG's letter of support.
"ANA strongly supports your efforts to address the Medicare reimbursement disparity for midwifery services. The Midwifery Care Access and Reimbursement Equity Act will benefit disabled and senior women in need of reproductive health services and maternity care," said Rose Gonzalez, MPS, RN, ANA Director of Government Affairs, in ANA's letter of support.
"Providing equitable reimbursement for the high quality primary care services of certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives will aid in ensuring that midwifery services are available to women in need," said Katherine Camacho Carr, CNM, PhD, president of the ACNM. "ACNM thanks ANA and ACOG for their support of these bills and for their leadership and longstanding support of midwifery care."
Certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives are highly educated health care professionals; midwives complete a post-baccalaureate education program, pass a national certification examination and obtain state licensure to practice in the United States. In 2004, certified nurse-midwives attended more than 300,000 deliveries; 98% of midwife-attended deliveries occur in a hospital setting.
Since 1988, the Medicare program has authorized midwifery care to address the maternity needs of disabled women of childbearing age who qualify for coverage. In 1993, Congress authorized midwives to also provide additional services outside the maternity cycle for all women under Medicare.
In a June 2002 report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) unanimously recommended that the percentage of part B reimbursement for certified nurse-midwife services be increased by Congress. MedPAC also highlighted the high quality of care provided by certified nurse-midwives.
While most states reimburse midwives at the same rate as other obstetrical and gynecological providers under Medicaid, a 35% disparity in reimbursement exists within the Medicare program. This payment inequity is a barrier to women's access and choice of provider within the program.
Health disparities in the U.S. continue to be a critical problem. Midwives have historically cared for those populations most at risk for health disparities in areas of high infant mortality, preterm birth, low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, maternal mortality, breast and cervical cancer, and HIV/AIDS infection among women. Medicare reimbursement equity for midwives would help assure access to primary care services for disabled and vulnerable women.
With roots dating to 1929, the American College of Nurse-Midwives is the oldest women's health care association in the U.S. ACNM's mission is to promote the health and well-being of women and infants within their families and communities through the development and support of the profession of midwifery as practiced by certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives. Midwives believe every individual has the right to safe, satisfying health care with respect for human dignity and cultural variations.
More information about ACNM can be found at http://www.midwife.org.
Midwives Honored During National Midwifery Week
Midwives across the country will be recognized for their contributions to women, families, and their communities during the annual National Midwifery Week, October 7-13, 2007.
During the week, midwives, nurses, physicians, and families will celebrate the contributions certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives make to the health and well-being of women and their families.
"Midwives play an important role in delivering care to women," said ACNM Executive Director Lorrie Kline Kaplan. "This week is a chance to celebrate midwifery and congratulate midwives on another year of being 'with women.'"
During National Midwifery Week, ACNM members will hold community events to educate the public about midwifery and to thank their communities for their support.
For more information on Midwifery Week, visit http://www.midwife.org.
With roots dating to 1929, the American College of Nurse-Midwives is the oldest women's health care association in the U.S. ACNM's mission is to promote the health and well-being of women and infants within their families and communities through the development and support of the profession of midwifery as practiced by certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives. Midwives believe every individual has the right to safe, satisfying health care with respect for human dignity and cultural variations.
http://www.midwife.org
Educating The Educators - Nursing And Midwifery Co
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has released details of a process to enable newly qualified practice teachers to consolidate their training and develop the skills required to sign-off proficiency for specialist community public health nursing students at the end of a programme.
From September 2007, all registrants wishing to prepare for mentor and practice teacher roles must undertake an NMC approved programme and to achieve sign-off status must meet additional criteria outlined in the Standards to support learning and assessment in practice (2006).
This includes being supervised on at least three occasions when signing off students at the end of a final placement. This supervision must be carried out by an existing sign-off mentor or practice teacher.
However, the nature of placements for specialist community public health nursing students presents difficulties for trainee practice teachers in that there are limited opportunities for them to undertake supervised sign-off for students during the period of the preparation programme, which is normally six months.
To overcome this, a new framework of preceptorship has been introduced, to enable student practice teachers to consolidate their training. This will mean that following successful completion of a practice teacher programme, new practice teachers will undertake a period of preceptorship supported by an existing sign-off practice teacher who will decide when they are competent to be able to sign off proficiency at the end of a programme.
Commenting on the development, NMC Education Professional Advisor Jan Goldsmith said,
"This new framework will encourage continuing professional development amongst registrants and make practice teacher preparation more achievable. It will also strengthen accountability and ensure best practise is being followed."
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the UK regulator for two professions, nursing and midwifery. The primary purpose of the NMC is protection of the public. It does this through maintaining a register of all nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses eligible to practise within the UK and by setting standards for their education, training and conduct. Currently the number of registrants exceeds 682,000. The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (The Order), sets out the NMC's role and responsibilities.
http://www.nmc-uk.org
Midwifery, Laurentian University
Laurentian University is an excellent institution that provides superior education. Midwifery students have opportunities to study with students in other health disciplines such as social work, nursing, health promotion and soon, medicine.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council
The ANMC is a peak body established in 1992 to facilitate a national approach to nursing and midwifery regulation. The ANMC works with state and territory Nursing and Midwifery Regulatory Authorities (NMRA) in evolving standards for statutory nursing and midwifery regulation. These standards are flexible, effective and responsive to the health care requirements of the Australian population.
Midwives College of Utah
The Midwives College of Utah is an accredited, degree granting program for students wishing to become excellent direct-entry midwives. MCU allows you to study wherever you may live through our Distance Education curriculum. Students are required to work with an approved midwife in their local area for the clinical portion of thier program.
