Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA-01) joined Congresswomen Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA-40), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-W-03), and Katherine Clark (D-MA-05) in introducing a bipartisan resolution to recognize October 2nd through 8th as National Midwifery Week 2022.
“Improving access to maternal care is a top priority for me in Congress, especially for those who live in rural communities. Many women in rural areas often have to drive over an hour to get to an OBGYN,” said Congresswoman Hinson. “Midwives can help fill this gap in maternal care. Recognizing National Midwifery Week will help expand access to midwifery services and ensure that expecting moms and their babies can have safe, healthy pregnancies.”
“Midwives provide high-quality, evidence-based, cost-effective care and are widely cited as being an important part of the solution to addressing the problems in our maternity care system,” said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard.“I am delighted to lead this effort to recognize the contributions of America’s certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives during National Midwifery Week. We can and must do better for moms and babies in this country and increasing access to midwifery care is one critical step to achieving better outcomes.”
“Midwives play a crucial role in allowing moms across America to access high-quality maternity care. As co-founder of the bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus, I’ve worked with my colleagues to improve health outcomes for moms across our country through increased access to midwifery services. And today, I’m proud to continue that effort by introducing a resolution recognizing National Midwifery Week and the amazing work midwives do to support families in the United States,” said Congresswoman Herrera Beutler.
“As maternal and infant mortality rates continue to rise in the U.S., we need to be innovative about tackling this crisis,” said Congresswoman Clark. “Midwives are a critical component of our maternal care network, often providing care to women with the fewest health care options. We recognize National Midwifery Week to honor their critical work and as a call to action: We need to do more for our moms, for babies, and for the people who support their health and safety.”
“The evidence supporting midwives and midwifery-led care is vast and centering the voices and value of advanced practice midwives in public health and policy discussions is integral to improving our country’s alarming maternal mortality and morbidity outcomes,” said American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Chief Executive Officer Katrina Holland. “Better integration of midwives onto care teams and within health systems leads to improved care, reduced cost, and patient satisfaction. It is time for midwives across the country to be recognized for the outstanding standard of care they provide birthing people throughout the lifespan. ACNM stands in strong support of our members and all the midwives and birth workers who work tirelessly to improve the standard of maternal and women’s health care in this country. We are grateful to have champions like Representatives Lucille Roybal Allard (D-CA), Jamie Herrera-Beutler (R-WA), Katherine Clark (D-MA) and Ashley Hinson (R-IA) in the United States Congress who understand that maternity care systems are improved when there is greater access to midwives and midwifery-led care models. We applaud their efforts in recognizing that midwives are part of the solution to the maternal health crises and we celebrate the midwifery profession during ACNM’s National Midwifery Week.”
