California Bills Aim To Expand Access to Licensed Midwives
The California Legislature is considering two bills that would increase access to licensed midwives for women who want a home birth. One bill (SB 407) would include licensed midwives as eligible providers in the Medi-Cal Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program, and the other measure (SB 408) would expand the scope of practice of midwife assistants to allow them to perform tasks -- such as drawing blood or administering medication -- under supervision of a licensed midwife. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program.
- "California Bills To Address Midwife Shortage" (Purves, Sacramento News & Reviews, 4/9).