Take Action 2013!
August is "Midwifery Advocacy Month," the perfect time to talk to your legislators about the "MOMS 21" bill. The materials below will help you educate yourself and your legislators about the value of the "Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services for the 21st Century Act (MOMS 21)."
What is the "Quality Care for Moms and Babies" Bill?
- "Dear Colleague" Letter from Rep. Roybal-Allard explaining HR 2286
Is Your Legislator a Co-Sponsor?
- Check to see if your legislator(s) are sponsoring this bill. Go here, click on the button specifying "Bill number" above the search bar in the center of the screen, then search for "HR 896," and "S 425" Once you have the result, click on the link to "Cosponsors" to see the list.
How Can You Take Action?
- See a video tutorial of a midwife making a sample call to a legislator.
- Call your Representative and ask them to co-sponsor HR 896 and tell your Senators to cosponsor S 425.
- Consider using these MOMS 21 Talking Points when communicating with your legislator(s)
- After your call, send a follow-up email to the person you talked with.
- Here's a draft e-mail you might use.
- Write a letter to your Senators and Representative inviting them to visit with you in your practice so they can learn more about the value of midwifery care. Here are sample letters you might use:
- Encourage your physician colleagues to write to their legislator(s) in support of the MOMS 21 bill.
- Here's a sample letter you might use.
- Let your Affiliate's Legislative Contact (ALC), a member of the Government Affairs Committee and ACNM's Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs know the outcome of your efforts.
- Use this Reporting Form for Meeting with Legislator to summarize your experience.
Resources
- Evidence-Based Maternity Care: What It Is and What It Can Achieve. The Milbank Report.
Blog Archives
- It's the Little Things - Cassie Moore, ACNM Writer and Editor
Let's Get Political - Emily Hoger, SNM
Every Month is Advocacy Month - by Kathryn Kravetz Carr, CNM; Brielle Stoyke, CNM; and Jeni Poell, CNM
Building Relationships: My First ACNM Lobby Day, Blog post April 6, 2011- Jenifer Poell, CNM, WHNP-BC, VIce-Chair, ACNM Government Affairs Committee
MOMS 21 Blog Post August 9, 2010 - Kathryn Kravetz Carr, CNM, Chair, ACNM Government Affairs Committee
MOMS 21 Blog Post July 27, 2010 - Kathryn Kravetz Carr, CNM, Chair, ACNM Government Affairs Committee
MOMS 21 Blog Post July 19, 2010 - Heather Bradford, CNM, Ex-Officio, Government Affairs Committee, Chair, Midwives-PAC
For more information, contact ACNM Federal Representative Patrick Cooney at 202-347-0034, [email protected].