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Executive Summary
BBC added an accomplished healthcare advocate, Angela Campos, to our board of directors. We had a banner year legislatively with the introduction of the BBC-supported Ohio midwife certification bill. This bill will help our families by improving access to midwives through better private insurance reimbursement and Medicaid coverage of midwives. We overran our donation-based operating budget by $3,000. We are asking our members and communities of interest to continue driving fundraising and donations to drive our legislation to the finish line.
Movement on Ohio Midwife Certification Bill
The first proponent testimony for HB 496 to license Certified and Certified Professional Midwives was held in May. Over 20 people submitted proponent testimonies, including a nurse midwife, several members of the Amish and Mennonite communities, many Certified Professional Midwives and members of the coalition, and. Susan Manchester, Chair of the committee for Families, Aging, and Human Services said afterward “You all did a great job out there!” And we did! Proponents ably highlighted the many reasons this bill would benefit our communities by increasing access to midwives, improving the integration of midwives within the broader healthcare system, and improving the data on outcomes for midwives in our state.
Rep J. Kyle Koehler introduced a substitute bill in November. This substitute bill improves language for prescriptions for Certified Midwives and states that unlicensed Midwives who practice under the exemptions wouldn't be given legal authority to carry prescription medications such as synthetic oxytocin (in other words, they would remain practicing the same as currently). Unfortunately, there was confusion and fear this substitute bill would make it impossible or illegal to practice as an unlicensed community midwife in Ohio, when in fact the religious and indigenous exemptions remain intact. Still, our lobbyist, Matt Davis, and his team at DSD Advisors continued speaking with Rep Koehler and members of the house to push the bill forward.
“I have looked at the bill and I am fully supportive. My former neighbor had raised questions about it (he’s an OBGYN) and Koehler answered them all.”
-Majority Floor Leader Seitz
“...Looking forward to getting this bill across the finish line!”
-Assistant Majority Whip Abrams
We heard a lot of support from members of the house excited to see this bill passed.
We feel optimistic about the legislation going forward in 2023.
Our next steps are to meet individually with interested parties from ACNM, ACOG, and the community midwives’ organization.
2022 Milestones to Celebrate
● Angela Campos joined BBC board as secretary. She is a home birth advocate. She is a Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor specializing in safe transport of children with special healthcare needs. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing (Clinical Nurse Leader) from Xavier University. She enjoys applying her love and knowledge of injury prevention both professionally and at home with her husband and kids.
● HB 496 was heard in committee in May
● HB 496 substitute bill introduced in Ohio House in November
● The Ohio ACNM affiliate changed from an opposed to neutral standpoint. This is a huge leap as we need our nurse midwives to support this legislation!
Financial snapshot:
Your donations have helped us raise over $15,000 this year which has helped us go further than ever!! Most of our budget money goes to our lobbyist and we've ended the year with a deficit of $3,000.
Would you consider committing to a monthly donation to ensure Ohio families have access to midwifery care in the future?
Do you know anybody who's benefited from midwifery care or believes in the cause? Do you know any Ohio midwives who'd like to be highlighted on our social media? We'd love to connect over coffee or zoom!
We're so grateful for your generosity and support which has allowed us to go so far this year!
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