ACNM Opposes State Legislative Threats to Abortion Care_

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2019
Contact: Maura Christopher
240-485-1822; [email protected]

In a statement released today, the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) affirmed its support for policy solutions that ensure that all people have access to a full range of preventive, reproductive, and sexual health services. The statement reads, in part, "As midwives, we trust our patients as the experts of their own well-being and support each person’s right to self-determination, access to comprehensive health information, and active participation in all aspects of an individualized plan of care. Our code of ethics mandates that we engage in a process of non-coercive, evidence-based informed consent, and shared decision-making. Therefore, we object to any legislation and/or regulation that interferes with the patient-provider relationship. We are gravely concerned about recent attempts to hamper access to evidence-informed abortion care." Read the full statement here.

ACNM thanks the Midwives in Support of Reproductive Health and Abortion Caucus for their hard work in developing the statement reaffirming ACNM’s longstanding position in support of policy decisions that strengthen access to and use of sexual and reproductive health care coverage and services provided by midwives and other providers, which build upon gains made in nation’s health care system.


About ACNM
With 6500 members, ACNM is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States. ACNM promotes excellence in midwifery education, clinical practice, and research. With roots dating to 1929, our members are primary care providers for women throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health. ACNM provides research, administers and promotes continuing education programs, establishes education and clinical practice standards, and creates liaisons with state and federal agencies and members of Congress to increase the visibility and recognition of midwifery care.