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Joint Congressional Briefing on The Midwives for MOMS Act (S. 1599) the BABIES Act (S. 1598)

The American Association of Birth Centers, American College of Nurse-Midwives, Birth Center Equity, National Association of Certified Professional Midwives, and the Policy Institute for Community Birth and Midwifery collaborated to present the Congressional Briefing "Solutions for Scaling Up and Maximizing Evidence-Based Midwifery and Birth Center Care in the United States" on July 17, 2025. We were honored to have Honorary Host Senator Ben Ray Luján.

The U.S. is experiencing a crisis in maternal health care. Poor birth outcomes, overuse of obstetric procedures, and high costs of care require urgent action by Congress to improve quality and lower costs associated with maternal health care. Up to 50% of maternal deaths could be prevented based on quality-of-care improvements at the patient, system, and provider levels. The scaling up and diversifying of midwifery-led care can lead to a significant improvement in birth outcomes. Studies have found that women cared for by midwives have excellent birth outcomes, including lower episiotomy, cesarean birth, and preterm birth rates, and significant cost savings to Medicaid and other payers. Join us for a panel discussion with a cross-section of midwifery and women’s health leaders on the state of accessing midwifery-led and birth center care in the United States.

View the recording to learn how the passage of the Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services (Midwives for MOMS) Act (S.1599) and the Better Availability of Birth Centers Improves Outcomes and Expands Savings (BABIES) Act (S. 1598) will help improve access to midwives and midwifery-led care throughout the care continuum. 

Then, continue scrolling to hear from consumers and midwives about why this legislation is so important.

Handouts

Listen to Consumers and Providers

Part 1

Part 2