CPM Bill Introduced: A Milestone for Mothers and Midwives!

Join the Celebration for HR 1054!

The MAMA Campaign is thrilled to announce that Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1) has introduced HR 1054, the "Access to Certified Professional Midwives Act of 2011" in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"I believe it's important that women are able to have the birth experience they want, regardless of where they live and how much money they make. That is why it's impo
rtant that women with Medicaid coverage have the same access to high quality, safe, and cost-effective services," Congresswoman Pingree said. The Congresswoman is known in Maine and Washington, DC as a sensitive, independent voice for social and health issues that affect families everywhere.

The Midwives and Mothers in Action (MAMA) Campaign expresses sincerest appreciation to Congresswoman Pingree and celebrates this milestone in the history of direct-entry midwifery in the United States. MAMA is also deeply grateful to Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI-4) and Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA-7) for their support and leadership in co-sponsoring HR 1054 with Representative Pingree.

Increasing women's access to the care of CPMs will support better outcomes for mothers and babies, reduced disparities in outcomes for vulnerable populations, and provide significant cost savings for Medicaid and the health care system. We are most grateful to Representative Pingree for her vision and support for childbearing women and their families.

This is Your Milestone!
Your support, your letters to members of Congress, meetings with your legislators in Washington, DC and in-district, and all of the dollars that you have contributed to this cause have made possible the introduction of HR 1054. You should be proud of yourselves - the MAMA Campaign Steering Committee thanks you!

Now the Work Begins....
MAMA will be counting on our energy and involvement in the coming weeks and months as this train gains steam and we forge ahead to garner the support of Congress for enacting HR 1054 into law. Read more here.

Keep MAMA Going in 2011!
Help Keep MAMA Going in 2011! Florida Friends of Midwives as an organization has made contributions to the MAMA Campaign on behalf of Florida's Mothers and babies. But MAMA still needs our help! MAMA now needs the support of our grassroots - mothers and fathers, grandparents, midwives, doulas, and other advocates - to keep the momentum going. Please celebrate with MAMA - show Congress you care, too - by making your contribution today. MAMA will put your dollars to work, making a difference for mothers and babies! Together we can move mountains!