New Blog: MANA and the Mamas First Act

Earlier this year, Midwives Alliance was contacted by the office of Rep Gwen Moore (WI-4) to help develop a bill to define doulas and midwives in the United States Social Security Act (SSA), which will improve access to Medicaid reimbursement for services. With input from the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), the credentialing agency for the Certified Professional midwife (CPM), we drafted simple language defining the types of midwives not currently included in the SSA... continue reading.

Meet Wendi Cleckner

MANA's Director of States' Advocacy

Greetings form sunny Arizona!

I would like to introduce myself and tell you a little about Midwives Alliance of North America and in particular my role as the Director of States Advocacy.

My name is Wendi Cleckner. I have been a midwife for over 20 years serving people choosing community births in Arizona and all over the world. I am passionate about options for families, not just for birthing choices but for all healthcare choices. My drive to help families did not stop at midwifery; I am also a lawyer. See I believe, to be a midwife is to be political. We are revolutionaries changing society... continue reading.

PushSummit 2019

#MANA19 All Day Pre-Conference

Working toward licensure for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in your state? Planning to? In one of the 35 states that already license CPMs but facing hostile rules, regulations, governing boards, or a sunset review on the horizon? Concerned about the future of VBAC / HBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean / home birth after cesarean) and limitations / restrictions on Medicaid in your state for CPM coverage? Frustrated by lack of consensus and infighting within your local birth community? Facing legislative roadblocks, back-door dealings, and insider politics at your state capitol preventing you from advancing?

Answer YES to any of these questions? Join us October 31 in Austin, Texas for PushSummit 2019, a pre-conference Workshop of the MANA 2019 Conference. Share your insight, wisdom, and experience. Learn from veteran birth activists who’ve been there – or are still there – in the trenches... c ontinue reading.

The State of the PushNation

#MANA19 Legislative Panel

Moderator Steff Hedenkamp, Communications Director of The Big Push for Midwives, a national campaign and collective impact project to secure license laws for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands – engages midwife and consumer legislative advocates, and insurance industry panelists in a robust discussion about “the State of the PushNation” and the collective push toward licensure for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs)... continue reading.

Midwives Stand With Doulas

Immediate Action is Needed!

The Midwives Alliance of North America stands with Ancient Song Doula Services, DONA International and Every Mother Counts in opposition to NYS Assembly Bill A364B and Senate Bill S3344B, which requires state certification and testing of doulas in the state of NY! This bill, although in principle may have good intent, also has the very likely impact of creating barriers to doula care for the people who need it most! These bills have been passed.

Immediate action is needed to prevent the Governor of NY from signing the bills. Please contact the governor's office with concerns.
https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form