Consumers can encounter a variety of unnecessary barriers when they seek health care from midwives.
Some of these barriers are defined in federal and state laws and regulations, while others are a matter of institutional policies. Managed Care Consumer Protections Prohibit gag rules for licensed health professionals' patient communications Provide direct access to women's health providers for female enrollees Utilize and expand quality assurance measures with increased emphasis on maternal child health indicators. State laws imposing physician supervision requirements and limiting midwives' scope of practice, including prescriptive authority, should be amended so that they are consistent with national standards. Enforce state and federal antitrust laws through the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice and state Attorneys General. Amend Transportation Act regulations that require a physician to verify in person that it is safe to transport a maternity client by air.