1. United States
2. Nev.
3. Letter

Enshrine into law nationally recognized midwifery standards and regulations. Enshrine the freedom to choose midwives and having babies at home. Introduce legislation to create a national common sense consensus on the education, regulation, and licensing of midwifery. In America, in the early 1900s, birth was moved out of the home and into the hospital. Now, it's big business. There is an economic incentive for medicine to control birth and shut down midwifery. Healthcare costs are skyrocketing, and there are many communities across the nation with no local resources. This forces many to travel great distances to receive any healthcare. When time is of the essence and resources are limited, this puts many at risk. "Arrest the Midwife" documentary by PBS provides a lot of insight as to why midwives are under threat. I read in the news that "Midwives in the United States are currently facing criminalization, particularly highlighted by the arrest of a Texas midwife for allegedly providing abortion care in defiance of state law." Midwifery is yet another topic caught up in the political war against the right to bodily autonomy. The International Confederation of Midwives hosts a global petition called the "One Million More Midwives" campaign, which calls on governments to grow and support the midwifery workforce to improve maternal and newborn health. Religious beliefs, customs, and practices should be honored as well. In the "land of the free," women and families should have the right to choose the type of birth they decide as best and safest for them. Licensing laws for midwifery vary dramatically by state. Introduce legislation to create a national common sense consensus on the education, regulation, and licensing of midwifery. Enshrine into law the freedom to choose midwives and having babies at home.