1. Who is NYCPM?
NY CPM, INC. is a non for profit 501(c)4 organization with a mission to expand midwifery licensure in New York State to include Certified Professional Midwives.
Each of our members is an integral part in making waves for the New York Community Midwifery Bill S7078/A7898 that is set to reach lawmakers this session.
2. Where can I find the bill?
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S7078
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/a7898
3. What's happening with the bill now?
Updates as of April 29th, 2022:
● The State Education Department and NYCPM have made PROPOSED amendments and language changes to the bill after feedback from the birth community and SED. It is currently awaiting review and revision in Assembly member Gottfried's office.
● The bill remains in the Higher Education Committee in both houses before moving to the floor for votes. We believe the amendments and language changes are what is holding up this movement, but we want this to be the RIGHT bill for CPMs and Families.
● Cosponsors:
o Senate S7078 with 14 of 63 Senate members co-sponsoring/ supporting the bill
o Assembly A7898 with 40 of 150 Assembly members co-sponsoring/ supporting the bill
4. What changes have been proposed in the language of the bill?
● Removal of all references to Certified Community Midwife or Community Midwife
a. We heard you! The title "Certified Community Midwife" was designed to set us apart from the NY title "Licensed Midwife" which in the current New York law refers to CMs and CNMs. We were told we cannot use the term LM by our sponsor. However, the birth community and many respected organizations reported to us that the title "Certified Community Midwife" not only is a credential that does not exist, or one that someone cannot become certified as, but is also confusing. We have proposed changing the language to "Licensed Certified Professional Midwife". All language regarding the use of that term will be adjusted anywhere they exist on the bill.
● Addition of USMERA (this language is supported by many organizations and those organizations will not oppose a bill with USMERA language)
● Modification of scope of practice that more accurately reflects the scope of practice of a CPM
a. Midwives, and birth workers reached out to us and were unhappy with language that referenced "obstetrics and gynecology". We have proposed changes that more closely align with the midwifery model of care.
● Modification of the collaborative language
a. We want the language to be open for Midwives in New York to be able to collaborate with physicians when needed without requiring a collaborative agreement that stifles scope of practice or care in the childbearing year
● Clearer verbiage for maternity pharmaceuticals and device usage
a. We know more will come once this bill is passed, and the rules and regulations are being written, but we wanted to make it clear that we would need access to normal medications for the out of hospital pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period.
Important: It's pertinent to note that the revisions that have been proposed came from requests from the birth community, people like you, professional midwifery organizations, and the New York State Education Department. We want this to be the right bill for licensing CPMs in New York now and for the future generation of midwives and families alike. Currently, these revisions and amendments are still at Assemblymember Gottfried's office under review. We do not know if or when they will be approved or sent back for further work. Our plan is to communicate to everyone when it happens and what course of action is needed.
5. What does United States Midwifery Education, Regulation & Association (USMERA) compliant mean?
With USMERA Compliance, we not only receive support from Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA), Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC), National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM), and North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), but also US MERA offers clear guidelines for education that will align with New York State Education requests.
1. All applicants for licensure will be required to have completed an educational program or pathway accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC) and obtained the CPM credential.
2. For CPMs who obtained certification through an educational pathway not accredited by MEAC:
Simple terms? PEP alone will not be eligible for application to licensure.
6. Where can I find out who my senator is and if they are Co-Sponsoring?
Senator: Visit https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator and fill out the form
Assembly: Visit https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/ and fill out the form
Then visit the bill page to check for co-sponsors:
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S7078
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/a7898
7. What is the timeline?
This Legislative Session closes on June 2nd. This means that the Higher Education Committee must approve this bill at their next meeting May 10th and May 24th and that proposed amendments and revisions to the bill must be approved by Gottfried's office before those dates.
If the bill is not passed this session, we will continue to work hard into the next session.
8. What do you need from New York constituents?
All of the below:
1. Text "NYCPM" to 50409 to send an automated letter to your local representative!
2. Sign the petition to the Higher Education Committee who is currently sitting on our bill
https://www.change.org/p/new-york-community-midwifery-bill-s7078-a7898
3. Call your Senator and Assembly member
4. Call/email/write Assemblyman Gottfried's office to move on the proposed changes
GottfriedR@nyassembly.gov
214 West 29th Street
Suite 1002
New York, NY 10001
212-807-7900
Fax: 212-243-2035
5. Call the Higher ed. committee to pass the bill
Assembly: Deborah Glick
GlickD@nyassembly.gov
853 Broadway
Suite 2007
New York, NY 10003
212-674-5153
Senate: Toby Ann Stavisky
stavisky@nysenate.gov
142-29 37th AveSuite 1
Flushing, NY 11354
Phone: (718) 445-0004
Fax: (718) 445-8398
6. SHARE these steps on social media, email, text, and word of mouth
9. How can people who do not live in New York help?
1. Sign the petition to the Higher Education Committee who is currently sitting on our bill!
https://www.change.org/p/new-york-community-midwifery-bill-s7078-a7898
2. SHARE the movement on social media, email, text, and word of mouth.
You can find us at
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NYCPM501c4
Instagram: @NYCPM.inc
Website: www.nycpmidwives.org
NY CPM, INC. is a non for profit 501(c)4 organization with a mission to expand midwifery licensure in New York State to include Certified Professional Midwives.
Each of our members is an integral part in making waves for the New York Community Midwifery Bill S7078/A7898 that is set to reach lawmakers this session.
2. Where can I find the bill?
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S7078
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/a7898
3. What's happening with the bill now?
Updates as of April 29th, 2022:
● The State Education Department and NYCPM have made PROPOSED amendments and language changes to the bill after feedback from the birth community and SED. It is currently awaiting review and revision in Assembly member Gottfried's office.
● The bill remains in the Higher Education Committee in both houses before moving to the floor for votes. We believe the amendments and language changes are what is holding up this movement, but we want this to be the RIGHT bill for CPMs and Families.
● Cosponsors:
o Senate S7078 with 14 of 63 Senate members co-sponsoring/ supporting the bill
o Assembly A7898 with 40 of 150 Assembly members co-sponsoring/ supporting the bill
4. What changes have been proposed in the language of the bill?
● Removal of all references to Certified Community Midwife or Community Midwife
a. We heard you! The title "Certified Community Midwife" was designed to set us apart from the NY title "Licensed Midwife" which in the current New York law refers to CMs and CNMs. We were told we cannot use the term LM by our sponsor. However, the birth community and many respected organizations reported to us that the title "Certified Community Midwife" not only is a credential that does not exist, or one that someone cannot become certified as, but is also confusing. We have proposed changing the language to "Licensed Certified Professional Midwife". All language regarding the use of that term will be adjusted anywhere they exist on the bill.
● Addition of USMERA (this language is supported by many organizations and those organizations will not oppose a bill with USMERA language)
● Modification of scope of practice that more accurately reflects the scope of practice of a CPM
a. Midwives, and birth workers reached out to us and were unhappy with language that referenced "obstetrics and gynecology". We have proposed changes that more closely align with the midwifery model of care.
● Modification of the collaborative language
a. We want the language to be open for Midwives in New York to be able to collaborate with physicians when needed without requiring a collaborative agreement that stifles scope of practice or care in the childbearing year
● Clearer verbiage for maternity pharmaceuticals and device usage
a. We know more will come once this bill is passed, and the rules and regulations are being written, but we wanted to make it clear that we would need access to normal medications for the out of hospital pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period.
Important: It's pertinent to note that the revisions that have been proposed came from requests from the birth community, people like you, professional midwifery organizations, and the New York State Education Department. We want this to be the right bill for licensing CPMs in New York now and for the future generation of midwives and families alike. Currently, these revisions and amendments are still at Assemblymember Gottfried's office under review. We do not know if or when they will be approved or sent back for further work. Our plan is to communicate to everyone when it happens and what course of action is needed.
5. What does United States Midwifery Education, Regulation & Association (USMERA) compliant mean?
With USMERA Compliance, we not only receive support from Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA), Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC), National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM), and North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), but also US MERA offers clear guidelines for education that will align with New York State Education requests.
1. All applicants for licensure will be required to have completed an educational program or pathway accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC) and obtained the CPM credential.
2. For CPMs who obtained certification through an educational pathway not accredited by MEAC:
- a. (PEP + Bridge): CPMs certified before January 1, 2020, through a non-accredited pathway will be required to obtain the Midwifery Bridge Certificate issued by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) in order to apply for licensure
- b. (Licensed in another state): CPMs who have maintained licensure in a state that does not require an accredited education may obtain the Midwifery Bridge Certificate regardless of the date of their certification in order to apply for licensure in a state that includes the US MERA language.
Simple terms? PEP alone will not be eligible for application to licensure.
6. Where can I find out who my senator is and if they are Co-Sponsoring?
Senator: Visit https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator and fill out the form
Assembly: Visit https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/ and fill out the form
Then visit the bill page to check for co-sponsors:
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S7078
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/a7898
7. What is the timeline?
This Legislative Session closes on June 2nd. This means that the Higher Education Committee must approve this bill at their next meeting May 10th and May 24th and that proposed amendments and revisions to the bill must be approved by Gottfried's office before those dates.
If the bill is not passed this session, we will continue to work hard into the next session.
8. What do you need from New York constituents?
All of the below:
1. Text "NYCPM" to 50409 to send an automated letter to your local representative!
2. Sign the petition to the Higher Education Committee who is currently sitting on our bill
https://www.change.org/p/new-york-community-midwifery-bill-s7078-a7898
3. Call your Senator and Assembly member
4. Call/email/write Assemblyman Gottfried's office to move on the proposed changes
GottfriedR@nyassembly.gov
214 West 29th Street
Suite 1002
New York, NY 10001
212-807-7900
Fax: 212-243-2035
5. Call the Higher ed. committee to pass the bill
Assembly: Deborah Glick
GlickD@nyassembly.gov
853 Broadway
Suite 2007
New York, NY 10003
212-674-5153
Senate: Toby Ann Stavisky
stavisky@nysenate.gov
142-29 37th AveSuite 1
Flushing, NY 11354
Phone: (718) 445-0004
Fax: (718) 445-8398
6. SHARE these steps on social media, email, text, and word of mouth
9. How can people who do not live in New York help?
1. Sign the petition to the Higher Education Committee who is currently sitting on our bill!
https://www.change.org/p/new-york-community-midwifery-bill-s7078-a7898
2. SHARE the movement on social media, email, text, and word of mouth.
You can find us at
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NYCPM501c4
Instagram: @NYCPM.inc
Website: www.nycpmidwives.org
