Get Active in the Chapter!

Many of us put forth an amazing amount of energy to host the annual meeting. Let’s keep that energy going! Let’s create a new vision and invigorate our chapter! What can the chapter do for YOU? Where do you see yourself plugging into it? What ideas do you have?? What are your priorities for the chapter?

Come to the next chapter meeting and share your ideas!

Get Involved - Legislative Action

Remember: If you're not at the table, you're on the menu.

One role of the Washington Chapter of ACNM is to inform midwives and the public of legislative issues that affect the practice of midwifery as well as the women and children we care for. Our legislative team keeps on top of federal and state issues and legislation and notifies members of the WA Chapter when action is needed.

Current Federal Legislative Efforts:

VICTORY AT LAST!

The Midwifery Care Access and Reimbursement Equity Act of 2009 (H.R.1101/S. 662) has passed as a part of the Patient Protection and Afffordable Care Act. As of January 1, 2011, the CNM reimbursement rate will increase from 65% to 100% of the Medicare Part B fee schedule. Go to http://www.midwife.org/siteFiles/news/HR3590.pdf to learn more.

A new issue on the forefront is that Aetna has announced it will now pay ARNPs in WA State only 85% of MD fees for the same service (as Regence has done).  AUWS will explore addressing this issue since reimbursement for nurse-midwives has been made equitable.

ACNM has also advocated for CNMs in other areas of health care reform. Learn about the latest of these efforts at midwife.org/health_care_reform.cfm

Current State Legislative Efforts:

Bill 6627: This bill has passed! WA state pharmacies will now accept Rx's from out-of-state ARNPs. Thanks for your work on this, ARNPs United! Read more from our own Heather Bradford, CNM.

The Washington State Legislature has passed House Bill 2747, a bill that restricts the use of restraints on incarcerated pregnant women in their third trimester and in labor and childbirth.

Other legislative tidbits:

• ACNM’s CapWiz: Members are encouraged to frequently visit CapWiz through ACNM's home page. This site offers very easy access to elected officials, legislative alerts and updates, and information on Capitol Hill Basics. The Media Guide through CapWiz allows you to contact local and national newspapers, TV and radio stations.
  
• ARNPs United of WA State: This non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting ARNP practice by coordinating educational, legislative, and networking activities of nurse practitioners throughout Washington State. Learn more about current state legislative efforts, past legislative successes, and other legislative topics by clicking on “legislative” on the home page. You can also learn how to obtain prescriptive authority by clicking on “Rx Authority” on the home page.
  
• Our chapter’s legislative team:
  Our new CNM rep for ARNPs United of Washington State is Mary Paul Beckman, CNM.
• To learn more about issues like domestic violence litigation, patients; rights, and pharmacy prescription refusal court cases, shackling pregnancy laws, etc click here to read the Legal Voice's E-news:  http://nwwlc.convio.net/site/PageNavigator/ENewsletter/Spring2010/ENewsSpring2010.