Grassroots Network: CPM BILL TO BE INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS THIS WEEK!

Dear Friends,

If you are not getting the MAMA Campaign e-news messages, here is the latest!

The e-blast begins:

“The Midwives And Mothers In Action (MAMA) Campaign is very pleased to announce that a bill to amend the Social Security Act to mandate reimbursement for all CPM services for women insured by Medicaid will be introduced in the House of Representatives this week!”

This is the bill that, when passed, will mean that licensed Certified Professional Midwives will be reimbursed for services provided to women on Medicaid. Medicaid reimbursement will make CPMs more attractive to state governments (where they are not already licensed), plus the health insurance industry pays attention to what is covered by Medicaid.

Read details about this bill and more in the rest of the MAMA e-blast at: http://mamacampaign.squarespace.com/grapevine/2010/11/30/cpm-bill-to-be-introduced-in-congress-this-week.html

You can easily sign up to receive the MAMA e-mails directly at the same url -- see the sign up link on the right.

Citizens for Midwifery is a member of the Campaign coalition and actively supports this work, and we encourage you to support it too! Donations of any size are needed and greatly appreciated by the Campaign!

Sincerely,
Susan Hodges, for CfM

Grassroots Network: Help PUSH for CPMs in Illinois!

Dear Friends,

Please read the Big Push Alert notice below, and if you live in Illinois, or know anyone there, please make calls ASAP!

Sincerely,
Susan Hodges, "gatekeeper"

A PUSH ALERT from the Big Push For Midwives

http://www.thebigpushformidwives.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=enews.signup

NOV 15, 2010 -- There is amazing pushing afoot! It is URGENT that we all push together to help Illinois fill the terrible shortage of home birth providers. Together, we can do it!!

The Home Birth Safety Act (SB 3712) to license CPMs in Illinois is being voted on in the House of Representatives this week, even as early as Wednesday, Nov. 16!

We need everyone in Illinois to call their Representatives and to forward this message to their family and friends in Illinois TODAY.

Here is the message that every Representative in Illinois needs to hear:

"I want to let the Representative know that Speaker Madigan has just reviewed the Home Birth Safety Act and improved the bill with an amendment. The bill is definitely going to be called this week. Will the Representative vote Yes for the bill on the House Floor?"

If anyone tells you "this is not the right act," tell them the Home Birth text is in House amendment 001.

• Legislators can be looked up (Legislator Lookup) here: http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByAddress.aspx
• If you can call Monday, please call the Representative's district office, and if Tuesday is better, call his/her Springfield office.

The Illinois State Medical Society has been spreading misinformation saying the bill will not be voted on. NOT TRUE. House leadership has assured us a vote, but we need the grassroots to bring it home.

So make the call today and spread the word to everyone you know in Illinois!

After you make your calls, please send a text to report the results to me at the phone number below. Otherwise, please send an email to the email address.

Thank you from all of us Pushers in Illinois!

Rachel Dolan Wickersham, CD(DONA), LCCE
President, Coalition for Illinois Midwifery
Vice President, Illinois Council of Certified Professional Midwives
Jiandra@aol.com
630-750-9444

P.S. Again, please spread this far and wide - to your friends, family, and to all other lists! Even to folks outside of the birthing community. We look forward to keeping you informed of our progress thanks to your support!