Grassroots Network: News from MAMA Campaign

Dear Friends,

Below is the latest news from the MAMA Campaign, which continues to work hard to get CPMs added to the list of Medicaid providers into the health care reform bills that are developing in Congress. Regardless of your personal opinion about “health care reform” overall, having CPMs listed as Medicaid providers definitely would be cost effective and would increase choices for all pregnant women.

If you have not already done so, I strongly encourage you to visit www.mamacampaign.org to find out more. Sign up to endorse the campaign (and receive news e-mails directly), make a donation if you possibly can, find fact sheets and other resources specific to this campaign. Congress is now in recess for August so your Senators and Representative are likely to be in their home districts. Consider making an appointment to meet with your Representative and/or Senator, or at least writing a letter – you can find examples, how-to’s, talking points and fact sheets on the website.

Hope you are having a good summer!

Sincerely,

Susan Hodges “gatekeeper”

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“Sometimes the most direct route to your heart’s desire is a path full of twists and turns…” (Anonymous)

Well, friends and supporters of the Mothers and Midwives in Action (MAMA) Campaign ­we are certainly on a road full of twists and turns…We are also moving fast and keeping many apples in the air to ensure that the path is an upward, successful climb.

Health care reform action has EXPLODED this week in Washington, D.C. Support for federal recognition of Certified Professional Midwives has been building and very much a part of the action this week. Even as we write to you all today, analysis of the status of amendments in the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee is neither complete nor final.

The House of Representatives has adjourned for the August recess and the Senate will adjourn at the end of next week. Lots of outreach to Congress members can happen during the August recess and that will be our focus. What is clear is that our work together will continue throughout the August recess and into Congressional debates in September. Fasten your seatbelts, sound the alarm, we are all in this TOGETHER!

For more about the process of overall health care reform in Congress, visit http://www.uhcan.org/.

NEWS of SUPPORT: MAMA is thrilled to receive full recognition and support from major national organizations this week:

National Women's Law Center
Our Bodies Ourselves
National Women's Health Network
Raising Women's Voices
Childbirth Connection
Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS)

FINANCIAL NEWS: MAMA is nearing the halfway mark in raising the minimum money essential for the success of our Campaign. We have roughly $70,000 in hand or pledged. ALERT! We must stay on our pace of raising $10,000 a week for the rest of the Congressional session in order to complete our goal. To ensure skilled help in Washington DC and well-organized coordination of our country-wide support, we must continue to call out to all supporters for help with this financial reality. Thanks to all of you who have already donated. Do send our message far and wide to your friend and family networks!

For more reasons to donate, watch this! Hear what moms, dads and grandparents across the country have to say about CPMs and choices in childbirth. Please watch this inspiring video and send it on to friends, family and clients.


NETWORKING NEWS: Join us on Facebook and Twitter!
Our network is growing and with your help we can reach more supporters to our cause. Please invite your Facebook Friends to join the MAMA Campaign Facebook Group. Visit our group and click on the "Invite your Friends" link on our page. You will be able to send a message to all of your Facebook friends asking them to join the MAMA Campaign!





Subscribe to the MAMA Grapevine ­MAMA’s blog-- to get the latest updates on the MAMA Campaign, articles on Health Care Reform, and personal stories about how CPMs can be an integral part of quality maternity care. Link our blog to your Facebook, Twitter, and other networking site profiles with a simple click!

Please help us help you! Support the MAMA Campaign TODAY

HEARTFELT THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!