|
New Federal Bill Upholds Philosophical Principles of the MFCI
Act today to ensure Medicaid reimbursement for birth center services
The evidence-based Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI) recognizes childbirth as a normal process that can safely take place in hospitals, birth centers and homes. Yet the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in recent years has been chipping away at this basic right by withholding federal matching funds to state Medicaid programs for childbirth services at freestanding birth center facilities. Please Take Action Now. Contact your U.S. Representatives and Senators with your support of recently introduced legislation that will ensure Medicaid birth center facility fee payments to states. Feel free to edit the sample e-mail provided here in a message to your elected officials through the American College of Nurse-Midwives' online Action Center.
Sample E-mail
I am writing to urge your support of the "Medicaid Birth Center Reimbursement Act" (HR 2358) introduced by U.S. Reps. Susan Davis (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). Birth centers, which have been recognized in State Medicaid Plans since 1987, are a safe and affordable option for the majority of childbearing women. In some cases, birth centers provide women their only access to maternity care services. Without payment of the birth center facility fees, birth centers in all states could be pushed to the brink of closure. Please ensure women's continued access to birth center services with your co-sponsorship of HR 2358.
Taking action is easy. Follow the links below to:
- Write your U.S. Representatives and Senators
- Sign onto the American Association of Birth Centers' consumer letter
- Endorse the CIMS Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI)
|
|
About Us
CIMS is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Our mission is to promote a wellness model of maternity care that will improve birth outcomes and substantially reduce costs. Please visit us online at www.motherfriendly.org for more information. |
