_edited_edited_edite.jpg)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from the President
White Supremacy is the Problem. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, this country has witnessed a 145% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes, with a total of 3800 reports nationally, 90% of which were perpetrated by white people. Just as we’ve seen across so many communities of color, the Coronavirus has been shining a harsh spotlight on the pandemic that has plagued this nation since its founding: racism.
On March 16, eight people were murdered by a white man in Atlanta; seven of them were women, six of them were of Asian descent:
Soon Chung Park
Hyun Jung Grant
Suncha Kim
Yong Ae Yue
Delaina Ashley Yaun
Paul Andre Michels
Xiaojie Tan
Daoyou Feng
Their murder is an example of the intersection of racism and sexist misogyny that female identified AAPI people experience. As Connie Wun of AAPI Women Lead says, “Asian fetishization and sexual violence against Asian women has always been a part of the colonial wars against our communities... So communities of color have always been seen as disposable for white men's fantasies and their rage.”
As a midwifery organization, we stand with our AAPI community members and repudiate these acts of terror and hate. We commit to continuing to work towards dismantling white supremacy by educating ourselves and our members, uplifting and following AAPI and other BIPOC leaders, and creating and supporting policies of justice and inclusion.
After the brutal March 16th murders, I spent some time learning about the impact of white supremacy on AAPI communities. I found the Code Switch podcast Screams and Silence to be a great place to start my own education, and then found A Literary Guide to Combat Anti-Asian Racism in America, a terrific reading list to continue my studies. Of course, as yet another important reminder that midwifery didn’t start in Kentucky, I hope you’ll join me in reading Japanese American Midwives: Culture, Community, and Health Politics, 1880-1950, by Susan L. Smith.
In humble solidarity,
Paris Maloof-Bury, CNM, IBCLC
President, California Nurse-Midwives Association
California Health Policy
CNMA to Co-Sponsor SB 65 (Skinner) - California’s Momnibus!
CNMA joins Black Women for Wellness Action Project, NARAL Pro Choice California, Western Center on Law & Poverty, the Women's Foundation of California, and the National Health Law Program as an official co-sponsor of SB 65! This bill, also known as the Momnibus Bill, reimagines maternal health care in California. This large, one-of-a-kind bill includes several separate pieces, each working to improve access, outcomes, and overall well being for pregnant people. This bill includes 7 parts:
It codifies and expands the powers of the state's maternal mortality review committee (MMRC) while also looking specifically at racial and other socioeconomic disparities
Updates the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review process to better collect information about deaths and prevent them in the future;
Expands Medi-Cal postpartum care to 12 months;
Removes burdensome CalWORKS requirements for pregnant people and increases aid;
Provides full-spectrum doula coverage for all Medi-Cal enrollees who would like a doula;
Provides universal basic income for low-income pregnant people;
Builds the midwifery workforce by providing funding to midwifery education programs that prioritize admitting underrepresented groups, people from underserved communities, and placing students in areas with limited maternity care providers.
Learn more here.
ACTION ALERT: Support SB 65!
SB 65 will be heard in its first hearing in the Senate Health Committee on Wednesday April 14th! Committee starts at 1pm. Please call in to support this bill. So far, SB 65 is first on the agenda for that hearing. Public testimony instructions can be found on the Senate Health Committee website.
Virtual Advocacy Day: Save the Date and Register!
Every year, CNMA meets with state representatives to discuss pressing issues and active legislation with the goal of promoting midwifery and maternal health care in the state. This year, on May 20th, ADVOCACY DAY is virtual!
This is your chance to urge legislators to pass SB 65, the "Momnibus" bill, which will – among other things – increase funding to midwifery education programs. Like lobby days of the past, we will assign you to a group of midwives with the same Senator and/or Assembly Member, and we will arrange for a short session with these legislators (but this year via Zoom!). Since the time of your visit will not be known until shortly before Advocacy Day, please keep your schedule clear for May 20th, just like you would for an in-person event. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, but we have included suggested donations for your Advocacy Day ticket. Don't miss out on an important opportunity to be a part of this historic bill! Register here.
National Health Policy
Opportunity for Student Leaders in NGAC/PAC
The National Government Affairs Committee (NGAC) is currently recruiting new student leaders for our committees. We are intentionally working to increase support and leadership opportunities for student midwives of color. We understand our organization's leadership is not reflective of our members or of the communities we serve and we would want to do our part to change that. In recruiting for these jobs, we would like to prioritize those students who identify as BIPOC so that they have the opportunities for leadership experience and mentorship in these roles, and a clear pathway toward other leadership positions within the organization as they start their midwifery careers. More information and job descriptions are available here. To apply please email Jessica Mcneil jessicamcneil86@gmail.com or Christina Chuchuru chuchrucnm@gmail.com. Application deadline: 4/16/21.
Represent ACNM on the ACOG Women’s Preventive Services Initiative Multidisciplinary Steering Committee
We're seeking a member to represent ACNM on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Women’s Preventive Services Initiative Multidisciplinary Steering Committee (MSC) with the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Please see the attached description of the roles and responsibilities of this position. Applicants must meet all nomination criteria, be able to fulfill the roles and responsibilities, and be available to participate in four virtual meetings and monthly conference calls through February 2022.
If interested, please send your resume and a cover letter addressing your: 1) Clinical expertise in women’s health issues, 2) Methodologic expertise, and 3) Previous experience on expert panels to Jewel Saunders by April 2nd.
Georgetown Students Advocate for MOMMA Act
On April 19, 2021, Georgetown University's dual track midwifery/WHNP and single track WHNP students will hold their 16th advocacy event, formerly known as Hill Day. Students will be advocating for the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA) Act, which was reintroduced on February 25th by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). The MOMMA Act is critical legislation that seeks to reduce the disparate maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates, especially among Black and Brown birthing people and infants. In addition to Georgetown’s Advocacy efforts, the tenth Off the Hill Advocacy week will be held May 24 -28, 2021 (dates to be confirmed soon), and that Advocacy Week is open to everyone! There will be more information in the coming weeks, but if you can’t wait to find out how you can participate, please email Erica Imaoka or Cheryl Appleton.
Maternal Health Hearing in House Appropriations
On Tuesday, March 23, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education held a bipartisan oversight hearing to learn more about what can be done to improve our nation’s maternity care system, specifically under the leadership of the House Appropriations Committee. Testimony was provided by representatives from several maternal health advocate organizations, including March of Dimes and the National Partnership for Women & Families, and key areas of discussion were increasing access midwives and birth centers, streamlining federal maternal health initiatives, and establishing federal grant funding for midwifery education to diversify and increase capacity within our nation’s maternity care workforce. Learn more about the hearing. Advocate for these critical improvements.
AABC Issues Position Statement on Certificate of Need
The American Association of Birth Centers has issued a new position statement in support of exempting freestanding birth centers (FSBCs) from Certificate of Need (CON) requirements. CON laws act as a significant barrier to the establishment of FSBCs, effectively stunting the growth of a proven, high-value care model that has been shown to improve outcomes and reduce costs. AABC had previously published a white paper on CON titled “Improving Access to Freestanding Birth Centers” (2016). This new position statement gives a stronger voice to the need for birth center exemption from burdensome CON requirements.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Consensus Vaccine Advice if you are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
This consensus statement of six national organizations provides information on COVID vaccinations for pregnant and breastfeeding women. ACNM, AWHONN, ASRM, NPWH, SMFM, and SOGH have all signed on, offering a single voice from multiple organizations for pregnant and breastfeeding people.
Volunteer to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines through VaxForce
VaxForce, through Health Impact, is looking for volunteers to administer COVID-19 vaccines to individuals throughout the state. The next opportunity to serve will be on April 10, 2021 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM at La Familia – Sacramento. 300 doses will be administered to predominately the
Latinx community at the Maple Neighborhood Clinic in Sacramento, CA. Please sign up here! More opportunities will be posted on the VaxForce website as they become available.
Education, Trainings, and Webinars
2021 Well-Woman Chart and Coding Guide from Women’s Preventive Services Initiative
Preventive care visits provide an excellent opportunity for well-woman care including screening, evaluation of health risks and needs, counseling, and immunizations. The Women’s Preventive Services Initiative (WPSI)'s 2021 Well-Woman Chart outlines preventive services based on age, health status, and risk factors. WPSI also recently released its 2021 Coding Guide, providing guidance to assist practices with coding and billing preventive services for women, including ICD-10 codes, Medicare, and Medicaid resources.
Trauma-Informed Care and Services for Immigrant Families: A Three-Part Symposium
Sponsored by CHCF and the UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities, this three-part symposium explored trauma-informed care and identified key recommendations and best practices for providing services to vulnerable populations, specifically immigrant families in California. Held July through September 2020, recordings of virtual presentations and other materials are now available.
CHCF Health Care Leadership Program
This two-year fellowship prepares clinically trained professionals to lead California’s health care organizations and creates a network of strong and effective leaders who are focused on improving health care for all Californians. Application Period: April 20 - June 16, 2021. Learn more here.
Triage of Pregnancy-Capable People in Emergency Departments
This free webinar is designed to provide information about the basic principles and best practices for treating pregnant-capable people requiring urgent and emergent sexual and reproductive care. Presenters: Monica McLemore, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN and Lisa Adams Wolf, PhD, RN, CEN, FAEN, FAAN.
Virtual Briefing: Findings from the California Health Care Foundation’s San Diego Regional Market Study
In a virtual briefing on Wednesday, April 7, CHCF will share results from its report on the report on the health care market in San Diego County. Prior regional reports were released in 2009, 2012, and 2016. The seven markets included in the 2020 project — Humboldt/Del Norte, Los Angeles, Riverside/San Bernardino, Sacramento, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the San Joaquin Valley — reflect a range of economic, demographic, care delivery, and financing conditions in California. Register here.
Updates on Medi-Cal Rx
Medi-Cal Rx is the name the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has given to the collective pharmacy benefits and services that will be administered through the Fee-forService (FFS) delivery system by its contracted vendor, Magellan Medicaid Administration, Inc. (Magellan). All Medi-Cal Rx providers, including pharmacies, prescribers, and their staff, will need to complete secure web portal registration in order to access education and outreach training calendars, training course enrollment, and resources located in the Medi-Cal Rx Learning Management System (LMS), Saba. Pharmacy Provider Self-Attestation Period Begins April 2021, and more information is available here. Please complete The Pharmacy Provider and Prescriber Readiness Survey.
Midwife Crush Mondays!
Do you know an amazing Midwife who is doing revolutionary work? We want to feature them on our social media platforms!
CNMA is looking for submissions for our new social media series “Midwife Crush Monday” where we highlight the stories of trailblazing midwives across the industry who are making a difference in the midwifery profession. You can even submit yourself!
Here’s what we’re looking for:
Midwife’s name (include pronouns)
Affiliated organization(s)
Why you became a midwife (and anything awesome you’d like to brag about)
Headshot/Photo if available
Bonus: Please include social media handles for tagging!
Please send submissions to sm@cnma.org for consideration!
Job Opportunities
Staff Midwife Position, Pacifica Family Maternity Center
Pacifica Family Maternity Center is seeking a Licensed Midwife or Certified Nurse Midwife in California with community birth experience and NARM preceptor eligibility to make a long-term commitment to join our team for a part-time position to provide antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and well-person care. Candidates must be committed to cultural awareness and competency, balancing the art of midwifery with evidence-based practice and a desire to teach student midwives. We provide comprehensive on-boarding and training, competitive compensation and benefits, including vacation time.
We are an accredited freestanding birth center in Berkeley, California with a group practice of 5 dedicated midwives and 3-4 students of varying education levels. We serve a diverse population of approximately 8-14 families each month. Most of our clients are English speaking, however, language skills in Spanish, Russian, and/or Mandarin are helpful. We value diversity and encourage midwives who identify as BIPOC to consider applying. Please email your cover letter and resume to midwives@pacificamaternity.com We appreciate your consideration!
Job openings to share?
If you have a job opening, please post it at www.CNMA.org/jobs! We will happily share your listing in our newsletter and on social media.
Questions? News? Want to get involved?
Email us at info@cnma.org
That's all for this month's issue. Catch you next time!
-CNMA MEDIA TEAM
Visit us at cnma.org
Comments