Indiana senator blocks midwifery legislation
Indiana is one of nine states that requires midwives to be licensed to attend homebirths, but then provides no way for them to do so. The state does not recognize Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), a title awared by the North American Registry of midwives. Every year since 1993, legislation has been introduced into the Indiana senate to try to legalize CPMs, and every year it has been blocked by one senator who doesn’t want to see it happen. Senator Pat Miller (R) has been using her power as chair of the Senate Public Health Committee to kill the legislation in committee before it ever has a chance to go to the floor for a vote. Meanwhile, somwhere in the neighborhood of 50 CPMs continue to practice in Indiana, risking prosectution for practicing medicine without a license.