CNMA 6th Annual Lobby Day 2008 gets CNMs voices heard!

Assembly Member Sally Lieber presents Ruth Mielke, President of CNMA a proclamation
kicking off "Nurse Midwifery Week" in conjunction with CNMA's 6th Annual Day.

On Monday, April 28th, the California Nurse Midwives Association held its 6th Annual Lobby Day at the State Capitol in Sacramento.  Fifty-nine certified nurse midwives and student nurse midwives were in attendance representing all areas of California. Among those attending were seven of the American College of Nurse Midwives Chapter chairs and students/program directors from Universtiy of California San Francisco, California State University Fullerton, and University of California San Diego. Overall, lobby day attendees made 60 visits which reached 50% of California legislators!

The focus of CNMA lobby day was to introduce proposed legislation that would allow women in managed care/HMO plans to have direct access to certified nurse midwives' services.  Although OB GYN physician services can be accessed without referral by the plan PCP, similar services provided by CNMs require a referral. Lobby day visits resulted in several legislators expressing willingness to author  "direct access" legislation later this year with most legislators being quite positive on the proposed legislation. The direct access bill would amend existing law to add CNM's to the group of providers who may be directly accessed by those seeking women's health services.

In addition, Assembly Member Sally Leiber proclaimed the week of CNMA Lobby Day - "Nurse Midwifery Week".  Her proclamation presentation was made in the Capitol room where the groups convened prior to the legislator visits.