HB4085 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 12601 RAS 47338 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB4085

Introduced 5/30/2005, by Rep. William Delgado

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Certified Professional Midwives Pilot Program Act to permit Certified Professional Midwives who are nationally certified direct-entry midwives to practice in designated shortage areas. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall establish and administer the 5-year pilot program by rule. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning health.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Certified Professional Midwives Pilot Program Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of this Act to is to establish a midwifery pilot program that is consistent with the mission of the Illinois Center for Minority Health Services by developing health care services in minority communities and with the mission of the Illinois Center for Rural Health by improving access to primary health care services in rural and underserved areas. The pilot program shall also provide culturally sensitive maternity care services to immigrant and minority populations accustomed to out-of-hospital births.

Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:

"Department" means the Department of Public Health.

"Designated shortage area" means a medically underserved area or population or health manpower shortage area as defined by the United States Department of Health and Human Services or as otherwise designated by the Department of Public Health.

"Nationally certified direct-entry midwife" means a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) as certified by the North American Registry of Midwives, which is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

"Midwives model of care" means a model of maternity care based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes as defined by the Midwifery Task Force, a national collective midwifery group consisting of representatives from the Midwives Alliance of North America, the North American Registry of Midwives, the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council, and Citizens for Midwifery.

Section 15. Certified Professional Midwives Pilot Program.

(a) The Department of Public Health shall establish and administer, by rule, the Certified Professional Midwives Pilot Program. This 5-year pilot program shall permit Certified Professional Midwives who are nationally certified direct-entry midwives to practice in designated shortage areas. The CPMs shall provide the midwives model of care and out-of-hospital maternity care services in homes or in freestanding birth centers to families residing in designated shortage areas and families residing in minority communities. The CPMs shall also provide risk assessment screening and identify women in need of obstetrical attention.

(b) The Department shall also collect client satisfaction data, as well as maternal and infant outcome data.

(c) Upon the completion of the pilot program, the Department shall submit to the General Assembly a report containing an analysis of any data collected and recommendations concerning the program and midwifery in the State.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.