This is great. As I prepare for the IBCLC examination i am more encouraged.Grace Edwards
 

    On Monday, May 2, 2016 6:41 AM, Marsha Walker <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
 

 *Georgia achieves IBCLC licensure*
The US Lactation Consultant Association is excited to announce that the
state of Georgia has just passed legislation licensing the IBCLC. Georgia
joins Rhode Island as the second state to license the IBCLC. This is the
result of several years of dedicated efforts by USLCA members and
supporters who worked so hard to make this happen. Licensure of the IBCLC
will help reduce the gap in access to clinical lactation services when
insurers will only reimburse licensed providers. Reduction in disparity in
care, increased access to clinical lactation services, and acceptance of
the IBCLC as part of the healthcare team bodes well for all of the
breastfeeding mothers in Georgia. Congratulations!

As Lisa mentioned, licensing the IBCLC can certainly contribute to the
validity of the lactation consultant profession. When discussing the
concept of diagnosing I looked up its definition--"identify the nature of
(an illness or other problem) by examination of the symptoms." This is
actually something we do every day. Nurses are able to make a nursing
diagnosis such as, "Alteration of tongue function" when identifying tongue
tie. I submit that the IBCLC should be able to make a "lactation diagnosis"
in a similar manner!
To quote Lisa, "I hope that we will fight to properly equip ourselves and
then establish our right to make lactation diagnoses where we are the in
best position to do so.  The fact that we are starting to gain licensure
should support this right. We still have a lot of work to do." We certainly
do have a lot of work ahead of us. As a primary force in the journey to
licensure, USLCA works tirelessly to help states achieve licensure. Your
membership in USLCA and donations to its licensure campaign would go far in
our quest for the recognition and rights as a profession.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA

            ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome



             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome