Legislature(2003 - 2004)
02/20/2003 01:45 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 71
An Act extending the termination date of the Board of
Certified Direct-Entry Midwives.
REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE WEYHRAUCH advised that the Board of
Certified Direct-Entry Midwives (CDM) consists of five
members appointed by the Governor. The duties of the Board
include examining and certificating applicants, permitting
apprentices, holding hearings and ordering disciplinary
sanctions. The Board also adopts regulations to establish
certification and certification renewal requirements.
Representative Weyhrauch added that the Board has served as
a means to make people practicing in midwifery aware of the
level of experience and education expected of them. Also,
by having a board, the individuals that practice midwifery
are held accountable to an established standard of care.
Women seeking an alternative to hospital care for normal
pregnancy and birth rely on the diligence of the board to
enhance both the quality and accessibility of their
healthcare. He added that an enhancement is that the Board
worked with the State of Alaska to establish Medicaid
procedures for CDM services, thereby, placing Alaska among
eight states which both license their traditional midwives
and provide Medicaid reimbursement for their services.
He noted that the Board is scheduled to terminate June 30,
2003 and if the Legislature does not act this session, the
Board will have one year to conclude its administrative
operations. Representative Weyhrauch stated that based upon
recommendations by the Division of Legislative Audit, HB 71
would extend the Board's termination date to June 30, 2007.
He requested that the bill pass from Committee without any
changes.
DANA BROWN, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, FAIRBANKS BIRTH CENTER, FAIRBANKS, spoke in
support of the legislation, requesting that the extension be
made. She added that the Board guarantees that high
standards and safety are maintained throughout the State for
midwifery services.
KAYE KANNE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JUNEAU FAMILY BIRTH CENTER,
PRESIDENT OF THE MIDWIVES ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA, pointed out
that the Board's inception was in 1992. The Board has done
an exemplary job of writing and implementing regulations for
the governing of CDM's and as a result, midwives in Alaska
are professional, well trained and provide safe care for
women and families.
Ms. Kanne stated that Alaska has one of the best midwifery
laws in the United States. Direct-Entry midwifery is
recognized across the nation, with licensing for midwives in
21 states, and legislation pending in 8 more. Many more
women are seeking the continuity of care and family centered
maternity care which midwifery does provide. In some
Alaskan communities, midwifes delivered 25% of the births.
In Juneau, midwives deliver approximately 15% of all births.
She urged that the Board be extended four years more in
order that they can continue with the good work that they
have accomplished.
RICK URION, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING,
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, voiced his
support for the legislation. He agreed that the State
midwives do a very good job and that the Board operates in
an efficient manner. The fiscal note requires no additional
funding.
Representative Foster MOVED to report HB 71 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
HB 71 was reported out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with fiscal note #1 by the Department of
Community & Economic Development.
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