Scaling Up Midwifery
Midwifery has an important role to play in addressing critical issues in U.S. healthcare.
When compared to other countries, the U.S. underutilizes midwives. At the same time, maternal health care “deserts” exist across the map, and the shortage of obstetric providers is anticipated to worsen in coming years. Our maternal health outcomes are worse than in other highly resourced countries and show persistent and alarming racial disparities.
Integrating midwives and the midwifery model of care into healthcare systems has the potential to increase access to care, improve outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.
The U.S. needs a robust and diverse midwifery workforce to meet the needs of our communities.
​​​​​​​​​​​​Growing the Midwifery Workforce
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Most midwives in the US today are certified nurse-midwives. Tying midwifery education to nursing education impedes our ability to grow and diversify the midwifery workforce.
For many aspiring midwives, nursing education is a barrier. Both the financial cost and the additional educational time are significant burdens, especially for individuals coming from rural areas or under-resourced communities.
In addition, there is a significant nursing education shortage in the US, resulting in tens of thousands of applicants to nursing schools being turned away each year.
The CM pathway is one way to reduce barriers to midwifery education and licensure, by removing the requirement of a nursing degree for midwifery education and practice. This also relieves the strain on over-burdened nursing education programs struggling to meet our nation’s nursing workforce needs.
Alternative educational pathways are needed in order to create the midwifery work force that our communities need. When aspiring midwives have a direct educational pathway into their chosen profession, they can pursue their goals without taking up a seat in a nursing classroom … a seat that could be filled by a student whose goal is to practice nursing.
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For more on CM education and scope of practice, see “About CMs”.
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How We Advocate for CMs
Advocacy is at the very heart of our organization. The Association of Certified Midwives was born out of the ACNM advocacy committee dedicated to supporting the CM credential (see “About ACM” to learn more).
Working in partnership with ACNM Government Affairs and ACNM state affiliates, we promote midwifery and the CM credential with the following goals: federal and state recognition of the CM credential, full scope licensure of CMs, and practice environments that allow CMs to work unencumbered and to the full extent of their education and training with equitable reimbursement.
Our work to achieve these goals includes the following activities:
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Direct support to ACNM state affiliates working to license CMs, including analysis and development of strategies, support during legislative processes, and providing expert testimony
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Partnership with ACNM Government Affairs to achieve federal recognition of the CM credential
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Direct support to CMs facing ongoing barriers to practice (e.g., support for credentialing)
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Communications, programs, and activities to increase the visibility of CMs
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Development of resources to use in CM advocacy work
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Educational outreach about CMs
Let's Get to Work!
Since the 1990s, dedicated midwifery advocates have moved the CM forward, developing expert knowledge along the way regarding communications and legislative and regulatory strategy. CM licensure is growing thanks to hard working volunteers within our organization and ACNM state affiliates. ACM is ready to partner with ACNM state affiliates to share our experience and support.
The ACM Advocacy Committee meets at designated times. Meetings are announced to our mailing list. New volunteers are welcome! Examples of Advocacy Committee activities include:
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Liaisons between ACM and ACNM state affiliates and other organizations
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Develop educational and outreach materials
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Develop advocacy-related presentations and webinars
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“Ambassadors” to education and other events at ACNM state affiliate
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host ACM table at events (eg, ACNM annual meeting)
If you are interested in connecting with us about volunteer opportunities or to discuss CM licensure in your state, please write to us at info@acmidwives.org!
