December 2024 Newsletter - Reflections

Reflections

NARM is Actively Listening and Communicating

  • Sign up for NARM’s Emails

  • Information Sessions (formerly Town Halls) are one way NARM is keeping the CPM community up-to-date.

  • Listening Sessions are a way for NARM to hear the experiences of the community’s interactions with the organization through the credentialing process. The Listening Sessions and the Feedback Forms will be compiled into a landscape analysis that will inform our work moving forward. 

Calling All Future Midwives!


Rhode Island Urban Perinatal Education Center, The Commonsense Childbirth Inc. and RIDOH have collaborated to start a hybrid learning Certified Professional Midwifery (CPM) Satellite Program for Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts residents starting September 2025. DEADLINE to apply for admission is May 1, 2025! For more info, visit rb.gy/usn9ly 

Take Action


Midwives for MOMS Act

Funds midwifery education, expands educational programs, and increases preceptor sites. More co-sponsors are needed to prepare it for re-introduction in January 2025.


The BABIES Act

Provides birth center startup funding and a cost-based reimbursement demonstration in six states. This bill needs additional co-sponsors to move forward early in the next Congressional session.


Midwives for Service Members Act

Establishes a five-year pilot project for TRICARE coverage for CPMs and CMs. This bill must secure more co-sponsors before the end of the year.

Seeking Subject Matter Experts

The National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM) is creating a roster of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from within the CPM community to provide technical assistance to states participating in the CMS Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) grant program.


About CMS TMaH

The CMS TMaH Initiative is a new 10-year payment and care-delivery model designed to support participating state Medicaid agencies (SMAs) in adopting a whole-person approach to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care for childbearing individuals covered by Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Through this model, states will expand access to various maternal health providers, including midwives, freestanding birth centers, and doula services. CMS plans to award grants to 15 states, with announcements expected by the end of the year.


NACPM SME Consultants

As an NACPM SME consultant, you can play a critical role in assisting state Medicaid agencies with the development and implementation of this transformative care model. We are seeking individuals with expertise in the following areas:

  • Birth center and/or midwifery regulations, licensure, and Certificate of Need (CON) laws and rules

  • Midwifery model of care

  • Access to care

  • Health equity and birth justice

  • Payment and reimbursement models (including fee-for-service and value-based care)

  • Clinical risk profiles and clinical standards

  • CBDR/PDR and outcome data

  • Collaborative care

Shout out to AABC for this write up and their form we were able to draw from to create our own!

New Membership Model Coming in 2025!


Starting in January, NACPM will launch a new membership model designed to ensure accessibility for everyone. Our Green Bottle Membership Model will use a sliding scale system, allowing members to choose what they can afford based on their individual financial situation. This approach reflects our commitment to equity and sustainability while keeping membership open to all.


More details will be shared soon, including information on membership fees, how the sliding scale works, and important dates for the transition. Stay tuned for email updates, and thank you for supporting NACPM as we continue to grow together!

Exciting News from Georgia

The Georgia chapter has been making significant strides in advancing midwifery legislation and advocacy. The chapter organized a Holiday Handmade Market for Midwives, featuring vendor booths, a donut truck, and items donated by midwives and doulas. Spearheaded by student midwife Krystal Reese, the event raised $3,125, surpassing the $3,000 goal. The funds cover one month of lobbying fees with the  team of four lobbyists they successfully engaged to support their legislative efforts.


A well-attended virtual stakeholders meeting provided a beautiful herstory about midwifery in the area given by Sarahn Henderson and helped build momentum and foster collaboration within the community. Monthly chapter meetings have been established to keep members informed, alongside monthly board meetings to ensure progress stays on track.


The team is now planning a 5K fundraiser and working diligently to secure a sponsor for their bill in the coming weeks. Georgia’s proactive approach and community engagement are paving the way for impactful legislative advancements in midwifery.


News from North Carolina

North Carolina leadership has worked diligently to finalize plans for introducing their licensure bill in the upcoming legislative session. Momentum is building as the chapter works to bring CPM licensure to North Carolina!

News from Massachusetts

Massachusetts continues to work toward their final midwifery regulations and inclusion as providers in the state’s Medicaid plan.


As we close out the year, take a moment to recognize the incredible work you’ve done. Each birth you’ve attended represents more than a moment—it’s a story of empowerment, care, and the profound impact of midwifery.


Now, we’re asking you to honor those moments by

donating $10 for every birth you supported this year.


Your contribution fuels the work that strengthens midwifery and transforms lives.

Here’s how your pledge will make an impact:

  • Advocate for Legislation: Push for policies that enhance recognition and accessibility of midwifery care nationwide.

  • Education and Training: Empower midwives with the tools and resources to provide the highest standard of care.

  • Public Awareness Campaigns: Shine a spotlight on the essential role of Certified Professional Midwives in safe, community-centered maternity care.

  • Community Support: Expand access and opportunities through the Bigger Table Fund and Tanya Khemet Taiwo Midwifery Scholarship Program.


This donation is a step toward ensuring that midwifery thrives—not just today, but for generations to come.


Thank you for being a part of this transformative journey. Together, we’re building a future where midwifery care is recognized, celebrated, and accessible to all—birth by birth.

A Special Favor to Ask


I am writing to ask for what I hope is a manageable favor. If you have a financial advisor, could you please send this handout to them with a quick note that you  wanted to provide it  in case they have clients with Donor Advised Funds (DAF) accounts who are looking for recommendations on quality organizations to donate to in the world of Midwifery and Birth Justice?


Learn about DAFs and access our widgets for making a 2024 donation here.

All purchases directly support The Bigger Table Initiative!

VIEW OUR EVENT CALENDAR HERE If you or people in your network/community are hosting relevant events, or events that offer CEUs to midwives, please share this form with them so that we can feature their event on our calendar.


SUBMIT YOUR EVENT HERE Thank you for helping us showcase the incredible work happening in the midwifery community!







This email was sent to << Test Email Address >>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
National Association of Certified Professional Midwives · 8120 RESEARCH BLVD STE 105 · PMB 140 · AUSTIN, TX 78758 · USA