On behalf of the Virginian Midwives Alliance, I want to urge the sunset reviewers and analysts to consider advising the legislature, in the sunset report, to address the inconsistency between the midwifery scope of practice and the current legislation. The midwifery scope of practice allows the use of certain medication in their practice and as a result Virginia midwives are trained in the proper use of these medications. However, current Virginia law prohibits midwives from using these medications in their practice. This results in one of several undesirable options; 1) the mother self-medicates, 2) a 911 call, which, according to several local fire department financial supervisors, costs approximately $2,000 each, 3) mother and baby travel to a medical facility and since 47% of Virginia is considered a maternal care desert (March of Dimes Report, October 2020) that creates a significant burden of the new mom and baby. None of these outcomes are desirable or healthy and can easily be addressed by changing the law to be consistent with the midwifery scope of practice.

Sincerely,

Ildiko Baugus, CPM, LM

President, Virginia Midwives Alliance