ACNM State Advocacy Update
2022 has started with a flurry of legislative activity around midwifery, postpartum Medicaid expansion, abortion, preceptor tax credits and mandated implicit bias training. ACNM is monitoring many midwifery-related bills, and we are working together with state affiliate advocacy volunteers to reach our strategic goals. Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin are states working on legislation this year. There are full practice authority bills, bills to recognize and license certified midwives, and CPMs, and birth center legislation. The state affiliates are becoming more organized and savvier than ever, educating legislators and other stakeholders on the essential role of midwives in quality sexual and reproductive health care and excellent maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
As always, we stand ready to work together with affiliates on policy solutions that will improve access to midwifery care and strengthen the midwifery workforce.
Contact swertman@acnm.org or akohl@acnm.org to discuss improving your state’s practice environment and taking advocacy steps to ensure midwifery for every community.
CMS Releases RFI on Developing a Comprehensive Access Strategy for Medicaid
As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to advance health equity and reduce health disparities, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking feedback on topics related to health care access, such as enrolling in and maintaining coverage, accessing health care services and supports, and ensuring adequate provider payment rates to encourage provider availability and quality. This Request for Information (RFI) is one of many actions CMS is taking to develop a more comprehensive access strategy in its Medicaid and CHIP programs.
The RFI seeks feedback from a diverse set of stakeholders on a broad set of topics from ensuring adequate payment rates to encouraging provider availability and quality, to culturally and linguistically competent care and reducing gaps in health care coverage. Interested parties may access the RFI questions and provide comment on Medicaid.gov. The RFI is open for public comment and will close on April 16, 2022.
HRSA’s Nurse Corps Scholarship Program Application Cycle Now Open
Nurse Corps provides financial support to students accepted to or enrolled in a nursing degree program at an accredited school of nursing in the United States. After graduation from nursing school, scholarship recipients serve a minimum two-year commitment at an approved health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses.
The scholarship includes payment of tuition, eligible fees, a monthly stipend for living expenses, and other reasonable educational costs (books, clinical supplies and instruments). The application cycle closes on May 5.
Nurse Corps has reserved special funding for the following areas:
- Up to 20% of awards will go to nurse practitioners with a specialty in psychiatric mental health.
- Up to $5 million will go to:
- Registered Nurses to work in women’s health or obstetrics
- Nurse Practitioners to work in women’s health or an obstetrics and gynecological specialization
- Certified Nurse-Midwives to work in improving maternal health outcomes
Where to start: Review the Application and Program Guidance (APG) for information on eligibility and requirements.
ACNM Director, Advocacy and Government Affairs