MIDWIFERY BILL PASSES BOTH HOUSES
MIDWIFERY UPDATE
The Wisconsin Senate passed SB477 Tuesday, January 31st, 2006 by a vote of 29 – 4. The bill, which we have previously written about here, provides for regulation of midwives in Wisconsin who are not also licensed nurses, and was promoted by Katie Prown, PhD., of Fox Point. The companion bill in the assembly, AB709, was heard the same day and sent on to the governor for his signature, which Prown expects to be forthcoming. According to Prown, “the Governor’s spokesperson indicated the Governor recognized the need for regulating midwifery in Wisconsin.”
She said the final days of lobbying on the bill were hectic, with a number of representatives of the medical establishment fighting its passage, including the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians, of Thiensville, of all places.
Prown said her group was able to secure its legislative goals with an expenditure of under $3,000, proving to her that “grassroots power” still has the ability to sway the legislature in Wisconsin, just when you thought all hope was lost.
The midwifery bill was good news to Sonya Jongsma Knauss, of MKE, the free weekly publication of Journal Communications, Inc. She and husband Dan plan to use the services of a midwife for the home birthing of their upcoming child, their fourth, which is on the way.
-- Michael Horne
posted by Michael Horne @ 2:51 PM
6 comments
links to this post
6 Comments:
It really was encouraging to see so many legislators on both sides of the aisle stand up to support the bill in the face of opposition from some of the most powerful and well-funded lobbies in the state. A true testament to the fact that government still does work on behalf of the people when they make their voices heard!
After working for a lobbyist (administratively) several years ago, I was totally disenchanted with Wisconsin politics - it was so dirty! This bill goes a long way towards restoring my faith. A group of citizens felt strongly about an issue and got it passed, even after the money and power got involved opposing it. This bill was important to the families of Wisconsin and we are thankful that it was passed and look forward to seeing the governor sign it.
How amazing that a group of all-volunteer, non-political types like midwifery supporters could get a bill thru our legislature with so little money spent. I am so proud of our representatives for listening to the people they represent, especially in the face of all the opposition from well-funded special-interest groups and medical organizations. Bravo!!
Watching this bill pass was like viewing a lesson on how true democracy should work! The voice of the people was heard and respected by our representatives and senators. What an amazing testimonial to the power of a few.
The process of watching this bill pass was indeed a lesson in Wisconsin politics. I am proud (and thankful) to our representatives and senators who listened to the many, many families that voiced their support of this bill. I'm even prouder of the many birth professionals and families that spent hours working tirelessly in support of this bill.
Seeing this in action was heartening. I felt like my participation (emailing and calling my senator and representative) actually made a difference on an issue that is personally important to me. It was especially good to see how many ordinary individuals (read, not lobbyists) turned out to support this bill.
Shawn
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home