http://mdelect.net/electedofficials

For Maryland residents: Just click on this link and look up who your Maryland state delegates are. This bill is before the House so you are only writing to your delegates and not your senators.

For those living outside of Maryland, send your letter to the
Committee Health and Government Operations Committee (HGO)
Room 241, House Office Building, Annapolis, MD 21401-1912
(410-841-3770 Annapolis/Baltimore or 301-858-3770 Washington, D.C.)
Chair: Peter A. Hammen

Then, write them a letter. I have copied mine below. Make it your own
using portions of mine if you want to.

Address them properly and mention HB 1407 in the letter. You can send your letter today and/or copy your letter and fax it or email it to Mairi Rothman, CNM at 240-485-1818 so she can mail a copy of all of the letters out at the recommended strategic moment, about 3-4 days before the hearing of the bill (tentatively scheduled for 3/14).

Thank you!

=======================================================

Email Subject Line: Letter regarding HB 1407

February 21, 2008

The Honorable Put Delegate’s Full Name Here
Lowe House Office Building
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991

Dear Delegate Last Name Here:

This letter is to inform you that for the sake of Maryland women’s health care, you must support House Bill 1407, the Birth Options Preservation Act. This bill opens access for women to care by
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM). Evidence demonstrates equal to superior care is provided by midwives. Women are consistently more satisfied with the clinical and holistic approach of their midwives.

As a childbirth educator and mother, I have used midwifery care both for well-woman care and in childbirth. I have very safe, happy and healthy pregnancies and childbirth experiences at a birth center. When there was any doubt that my first pregnancy might need medical assistance, I was referred to a perinatologist (high risk OB) for co-management and care. Fortunately, in the end, I did not need medical assistance but was grateful that my midwife referred me for medical monitoring to be on the safe side. CNMs are experts in women’s health care through the childbearing years and beyond. They are professionally bound by the Standards of Practice of the American College of Nurse Midwives. They are ethically and clinically prepared and qualified to collaborate and refer to medical care when appropriate.

The Maryland Board of Nursing in its requirement for physician signature to obtain a license has been a barrier to women’s access to midwives. Please support and pass this bill for the good of Maryland families. Show CNMs the same respect for our profession that the women we care for already demonstrate. Give Maryland women access to the health care that they desire and deserve.

I still remember the day you handed out information asking for my vote on the streets of Hampstead one warm summer day. I hope you will listen to my voice and the voice of others and fight for women’s rights to the best health care which must include midwives and better access to them!

Thank you for your efforts and thank you for listening.

Yours in birth,
Jessica Groves
Hampstead, MD

Bradley Method Childbirth Educator & Birth Doula
Trusting Our Bodies