Recap of “Maternal Health: Policy Implementation & Impact,” June 10 briefing at the State House
It was standing room only for the Maternal Health: Policy Implementation & Impact briefing at the Massachusetts State House on June 10, 2025 co-hosted by Bay State Birth Coalition, Mind the Gap Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, and the Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression.
The program celebrated the passage of the 2024 Midwifery and Maternal Health Omnibus Law, provided updates on the law’s implementation, and delved into the impact of the law on the health and well-being of birthing people and families in Massachusetts. The Bay State Birth Coalition and Mind the Gap Massachusetts presented Maternal Health Champion awards to State Senators and Representatives who played a key role in shaping and passing the law. The program featured speakers Senator Liz Miranda, Representative Marjorie Decker, Representative Brandy Fluker Reid, Dr. Elaine Fitzgerald Lewis, Stephanie Crawford, Steven Pascal, and midwives Dr. Jo-Anna Rorie, Rebecca Herman, and Katherine Rushfirth.
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10 Orgs to Support on Giving Tuesday
Midwives save lives. These organizations help more families have access to midwives, offer essential birth and reproductive care options, and make the world safer, healthier, and more equitable.
Seven Sisters Birth Center - Help sustain this Western Massachusetts birth center
Neighborhood Birth Center - Boston needs a birth center!
Worcester Community Birth Center - Build a birth center in Worcester, Massachusetts.
NACPM Massachusetts - Strengthen the midwife workforce statewide
Bay State Birth Coalition - Advocate for access to midwifery and birth options statewide
Birth Future Foundation - Make grants to support Black, Brown, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ midwives in the United States
Resilient Sisterhood Project - Educate and empower women of African descent affected by diseases of the reproductive system
Prospera Institute - Advance Latinx health prosperity
Propa City Community Outreach - Support families experiencing pregnancy loss
True Alliance Center - Support Haitian migrant families in Massachusetts (Read about Pastor Keke’s work)
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Governor Signs Comprehensive Midwifery and Maternal Health Bill
We did it!
On August 15, 2024, the Massachusetts Legislature passed the bill H.4999, An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options, a “Momnibus” package of legislation that expands access to midwifery care, birth centers, home births, and much more. After unanimous votes in the House (June 20) and the Senate (July 30), the conference committee combined the two versions into a final compromise bill that has now been passed. The bill was signed into law on August 23 with a ceremonial signing event on August 26 by Governor Maura Healey.
Massachusetts families can look forward to greater access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options at home or in birth centers.
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Senate UNANIMOUSLY Passes Comprehensive Midwifery and Maternal Health Bill
On July 30, 2024, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a comprehensive maternal health and midwifery omnibus bill. The bill now goes to conference committee for the House and Senate to compromise on final bill language.
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House UNANIMOUSLY Passes Comprehensive Maternal Health Bill
Bill will expand access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options
The package passed unanimously by the Massachusetts House on June 20 includes provisions to create a pathway to licensure for Certified Professional Midwives and to instruct the Department of Public Health (DPH) to update and revise the regulations that govern freestanding birth centers in the state.
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$1,650,000 for birth centers!
In May, the Massachusetts State Senate voted to include $1.65M for birth centers in the state budget for fiscal year 2025.
$300,000 for Neighborhood Birth Center in Boston
$350,000 for Seven Sisters Birth Center in Northampton
$1,000,000 for maternal health grants that support new and existing birth centers
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Celebrating Midwives!
May 5 is the annual International Day of the Midwife. We love and celebrate midwives this day and every day! Thank you midwives, for all you do to care for us.
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Midwives are Front Page News
“Massachusetts Midwives Push for a Licensing Plan” was the front page headline in the Boston Globe on April 27, 2024. Globe reporter Diti Kholi highlights the important role of midwives, and the lack of a licensure pathway in Massachusetts for the certified professional midwives who attend nearly all home births and are 50% of the national workforce for birth centers. Read the article.
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Maternal Health Organizations Applaud Governor Healey’s Report & Recommendations to Increase Access to Maternal Healthcare
American College of Nurse Midwives-MA, Bay State Birth Coalition, and Neighborhood Birth Center Thank Administration For Their Leadership & Urge Quick Implementation of Recommendations
Maternal health practitioners and reproductive rights supporters applaud Governor Healey’s release this week of reports and recommendations regarding the state of maternal health care and essential services in the Commonwealth. The recommendations laid out in the report, if implemented fully, would result in a marked increase in access to maternal health care across Massachusetts. We particularly thank the Administration for prioritizing the following critical recommendations: (1) Updated regulations governing birth centers to better align with national standards; (2) Equitable reimbursement for Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs); and (3) Support for integration of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) into more pregnancy and birth care settings and coverage for such care in Massachusetts.
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