The LMPA was not passed until 1993, not implemented until 1997. Even thought it mandates physician supervision, nothing in the LMPA compels doctors to provide supervision. The 100,000 licensed doctors in the state have uniformly refused to make themselves available in a supervisory role, citing vicarious liability, malpractice insurance rate hikes, jeopardy to their hospital admitting privileges, black-listing and inability to get other physicians to take call for them. Of the 94 licensed midwives only one or two are able to be in technical compliance with the law and that could change without warning should the physician's malpractice carrier learn of the arrangement. There is no current supervision .
Midwives provide primary health care and are similar to general practitioners or family physicians.
Both midwives and general practice physicians refer patients to specialist physicians as needed. Requiring obstetric supervision of midwives clearly interferes with the widespread provision of the midwifery option for families. Citizens Alliance for the Midwifery Model of Care One of the major strategies is to bring together an alliance of organizations that have taken an official position of support for our legislation. Citizen Visits to Local District to ask for new authors and on-going support One of the most helpful activities for people to do at the local level is to put together a small group of polite supporters and make a visit to the district office of both assembly member and senatorial representative. We also will be targeting 14 members of the Assembly Health Committee and the Senate Helath Committee for educational campaign on professional mfry and community-based maternity services.