To all my internet and in person loved ones, please copy the following
email and send it to your eleceted representatives, on the ones who make
federal medicare/medicaid laws that determine how people have theri abaies.
Below are the address for Maine and New hampshire Representatives. Please
don't let this wait and if you have a few minutes - send it on so that
quailty care can conitue for families - after all thats where it all
starts.
                        namaste...amy :-)
to find the adress of any National CongressPerson Go To:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

For Maine CongressPersons:
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R)
 202-224-5344
202-224-1946
  207-874-0883
 [log in to unmask]

 Sen. Susan M. Collins (R)
 202-224-2523
202-224-2693
207-786-2451
 [log in to unmask]

Thomas H. Allen (D-01)
  202-225-6116
202-225-5590
     207-774-5019
[log in to unmask]

 John Elias Baldacci (D-02)
 202-225-6306
 202-225-8297
207-942-6935
 [log in to unmask]

For NewHampshire:
Sen. Robert Smith (R)
 202-224-2841
202-224-1353
 603-634-5000
 [log in to unmask]

 Sen. Judd Gregg (R)
202-224-3324
 202-224-4952
 603-225-7115
[log in to unmask]

 John E. Sununu (R-01)
202-225-5456
202-225-5822
603-641-9536
[log in to unmask]

 Charles F. Bass (R-02)
 202-225-5206
 202-225-0046
 603-226-0249
 [log in to unmask]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To my elected Rpepresentative,
        Please read the following email and consider these issues as they
are  crucial in maintaing families access to quailty medical care. We have
a right unrestricted access to care from CNM's and NP's.
        Thank you.
                                (your name and address)

Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Bills approved by the
Senate Finance Committee, House Commerce Committee, and House Ways and
Means Committee.
PLEADE  ADD  CNMS  AS  CASE MANAGERS  AND
TO  PROTECT  DIRECT  ACCESS  TO CNMS  AS  HAS  PREVIOUSLY  BEEN REQUIRED BY
MEDICAID RULES
In reference to:
 Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Bills approved by the
Senate Finance Committee, House Commerce Committee, and House Ways and
Means Committee.

    A.Medicare
           1.Background
                    Language in all three committee bills gives physicians
the right to overturn CNM's  clinical decisions. CNM services are paid
for by the Medicare Program, Part B, when  treating the disabled
population, mentally ill, speech and hearing impaired, etc. Medicare sets
the Golden Rule for payment under the CHAMPUS program and for private
health care plans.

           2.Medicare Talking Points
                  a.CNMs currently have admitting privileges at hospitals
 and free-standing birth centers.
                  b.This provision of physician decision-making supersedes
many state laws.
                  c.CNMs have a proven track record that saves the
government money; i.e., nurse-midwives provide safe care with outcomes
better than physicians.
                    Examples of studies:
                        1.Lower c-section rate: CNMs (11.6%), Physician (23.3%)
                        2.Lower number of episiotomies/epidurals
                        3.Shorter length of stay with fewer complications
and returns to emergency room (refer to Fax on Demand                 for
various fact  sheets that give background)
B.Medicaid
           1.Background:
                    As you are aware, in the House Commerce Committee last
week, we were successful in removing NPs and CNMs from the supervision of
physicians and inserting language that referenced state laws. We were
also successful in recognizing CNMs and other professionals who have
 admitting privileges or who are the attendants for the Medicaid program.
                    We were unsuccessful in the House Commere Committee and
Senate Finance Committee recognizing CNMs as primary care case managers or
giving women direct access to CNM services!...only obstetricians and
gynecologists and other MD/DO groups are recognized.

C. The Process
              The committee bills will be voted on the floor of the Senate
and House soon. No schedule has been released. It could be before recess or
when they return from  recess.

ACT NOW! We will keep you posted.

Tips for keeping up to date:

Check the ACNM website: http://www.midwife.org
Check the ACNM Bulletin Board System (BBS)
Check your fax machine regularly
Keep us up-to-date with your fax number and e-mail address
For after hours updates, dial: (202) 728-9860 (select option #5 from the
main menu)