SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois could soon address maternal healthcare deserts by empowering certified nurse midwives.
The Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing Board Members says certified nurse midwives have been providing home births and community births for years, as experienced midwives are allowed to practice without collaboration with physicians. Although, new midwives have been blocked from providing community births without collaborating with a doctor for approximately two to five years until they meet requirements for full practice authority.
A bill heading to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could allow experienced midwives to collaborate and mentor new midwives to help improve access in areas where physicians are reluctant or restricted by their employers and cannot provide assistance to midwives.
Advanced practice registered nurses certified as midwives would also have the ability to provide out of hospital births if they have been granted clinical privileges from a birth center.
"In a healthcare provider shortage area or maternal care desert, a certified midwife can collaborate with a full practice authority," said Rep. Yolanda Morris (D-Chicago).
Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis), Chris Miller (R-Murphysboro), and Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) are all cosponsors of the plan.
House Bill 2688 passed unanimously out of the House in April and received a 57-1 vote in the Senate last month.
"We are giving certified midwives the flexibility to collaborate and deliver services and care to our communities," said Sen. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago). "This legislation modernizes the rules for providers to give residents greater access to healthcare in our community."
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