HCS HB 36 -- MIDWIVES

SPONSOR:  Phillips (Davis)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children
and Families by a vote of 11 to 0.

This substitute specifies that nothing may prohibit a woman from
giving birth in the setting and with the caregiver of her choice.
A caregiver includes a person who provides midwifery services;
however, this service is not the practice of medicine, nursing,
or nurse-midwifery.  These caregivers may not be subject to
prosecution under state law if they exercise a reasonable degree
of care.

Every midwife is required to provide a written disclosure
statement informing all clients and potential clients of his or
her education and training, years of experience, number of
deliveries as a midwife, possible risks, and a contingency plan
in the event of an emergency.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that home birth is the safest way to
give birth for a healthy woman and a healthy baby.  Some women
want this type of care, but must move to other states because
this option is not available in Missouri.  A properly planned
birth at home can lead to fewer problems and allows the patient
to be surrounded by family and friends.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Davis; Friends of
Missouri Midwives; Missouri Midwives Association; Whole Health
Family Practice and Birth Center; Shepherdsfield Community
Church; Allison Dougherty; J. Keith Nisbett; Dayna Hamp; Kevin J.
Reed; Nicole Simmons; Kolbi Doyle-Barker; Tina Miller; Sister
Sandra K. Morning Star; Elizabeth Allemann, M.D.; Christine
Skinner; and Sandy Reed.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that it will lower the
standard for home delivery by allowing anyone to practice
midwifery.  In the event of an emergency, a midwife is not able
to perform the same tasks as a physician in a hospital setting to
save the mother and/or child.

Testifying against the bill were Missouri State Medical
Association; Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and
Surgeons; and Missouri Academy of Family Physicians.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:17 pm