The Midwives-PAC is a political action committee that solicits voluntary contributions from ACNM members that can be distributed strategically as campaign contributions to federal legislators, or candidates who have demonstrated an understanding, interest, and commitment to increasing access to midwives and evidence-based midwifery-led care and improving the culture of maternal health through federal policy.
PAC contributions create a relationship between legislators and midwives, so that they see us as a resource when issues of women’s health come up before the Congress. They also allow us to support legislators who have a proven record on the federal issues that matter to ACNM.
The ACNM Midwives-PAC is your voice in Congress. We are a political action committee formed by ACNM in 2000 for the purpose of soliciting voluntary contributions from ACNM members that can be distributed strategically as campaign contributions to federal legislators. PAC contributions create a relationship between legislators and midwives, so that they see us as a resource when issues of women’s health come up before the Congress. They also allow us to support legislators who have a proven record on the federal issues that matter to ACNM.
PAC Member Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Midwives-PAC members are explained in the PAC’s Standing Rules of Procedure. The Midwives-PAC Chair works with National Office Staff, PAC members, and other leaders in ACNM’s Division of Advocacy and Affiliate Support to conduct fundraising activities within ACNM and oversees distribution of these funds to federal legislators. Responsibilities of members of the Midwives-PAC include, but are not limited to, participating in fundraising events at the Annual Meeting as well as through the year, attending monthly to quarterly conference calls, and working to inform and educate ACNM’s members about the political process and encourage their participation through outreach and advocacy efforts.
Midwives-PAC Members
Student Representatives
At-Large Members
ACNM Board Liaisons
ACNM members who are interested in joining the Midwives-PAC are encouraged to contact Amy Kohl, Director, Advocacy & Government Affairs at [email protected] .
Midwives-PAC Meetings
The Midwives-PAC meets monthly via web conferencing and in the spring at the Annual Meeting. In addition, Midwives-PAC subcommittees meet on a quarterly basis to coordinate fundraising campaign activities.
All donations to the Midwives-PAC, including your purchase of tickets to the Midwives-PAC Rally, are credited to your annual Midwives-PAC donor recognition status. Past donations cannot be credited to PAC event ticket purchases. The Midwives-PAC campaign year is the calendar year. The Midwives-PAC offers four levels of donor recognition:
Your contribution of $1,000 or more to the Midwives-PAC ensures premier honors! At the next year's Annual Meeting, members earn an invitation to the President's Reception, and a $50 voucher to use at the Midwives-PAC Rally as well as VIP seating. A unique "premier" thank you gift is also given.
With your contribution of $500-999 to the Midwives-PAC comes distinguished status! At the next year's Annual Meeting, members earn an invitation to the President's Reception as well as a $50 voucher to use at the Midwives-PAC Rally. A unique "distinguished" thank you gift is also given.
With your contribution of $200-499 to the Midwives-PAC comes patron status! This provides you with a unique "patron" thank you gift.
With your contribution of $25 comes special ribbon status recognition at ACNM's annual meeting.
Board members serve three-year terms, which start and end at the conclusion of each Annual Meeting. To inquire about open positions on the PAC Board or for additional questions about joining, email [email protected].
Qualifications needed to join the Midwives-PAC:
Job Description for Midwives-PAC BOD Members:
Calling all students! If you are a CM or CNM student and you are interested in joining the Midwives-PAC (in conjunction with the ACNM Government Affairs Committee (GAC)), we need you! Contact the Midwives-PAC ([email protected]) or the GAC ([email protected]) to find out more about being a student representative or student liaison to the committee. Students serve a minimum of a one year term, or until the Annual Meeting following their graduation.
The Midwives-PAC donates to members of Congress, regardless of political affiliation, that support increasing access to midwives and midwifery-led care and improving the culture of maternal health in the United States. The ACNM Midwives-PAC mission is to advance ACNM’s federal policy agenda by facilitating the creation of relationships between legislators and midwives and by supporting legislators who have a proven record on issues that matter to midwives and ACNM. Midwives-PAC is a bi-partisan PAC. We support members of Congress who support midwives and midwifery!
Senators
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Representatives
Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX)
Rep. Cathy McMorris (R-WA)
Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL)
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY)
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY)
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Rep. Jaime Beutler (R-WA)
Rep. David Joyce (R-OH)
Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI)
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
Michelle Munroe (D, 1st District, GA)
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL)
Senators
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN)
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
Representatives
Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE)
Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY)
Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI)
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY)
Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX)
Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI)
Rep. Gregory Walden (R-OR)
Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY)
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA)
Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY)
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Rep. Cathy McMorris (R-WA)
Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL)
Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA)
Rep. Jaime Beutler (R-WA)
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI)
Senators
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Sen. Randal Paul (R-KY)
Sen. Robert Portman (R-OH)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Representatives
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI)
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA)
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA)
Rep. Cathy McMorris (R-WA)
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE)
Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY)
We are a political action committee formed by ACNM in 2000 for the purpose of soliciting voluntary contributions from ACNM members that can be distributed strategically as campaign contributions to federal legislators.
The ACNM Midwives-PAC is your voice in Congress. Our mission is to advance ACNM’s federal policy agenda by facilitating the creation of relationships between legislators and midwives and by supporting legislators who have a proven record on issues that matter to ACNM.
We support members of Congress from both sides of the aisle who have demonstrated a commitment to the initiatives of the ACNM or who hold positions on key committees. A list of potential recipients of PAC donations is developed each year by the Midwives-PAC board, in consultation with our Federal lobbyist and national office staff. These contributions provide visibility for midwives and ensure that we have a proverbial (and sometimes literal) seat at the table with legislators working on health care issues. Having a legislator’s ear for a few minutes can make the difference between being at the table or on the menu.
Members of Congress frequently hold fundraising events in their districts or in Washington, DC. These events are a locus of political networking and personal connections, carrying a steep entry fee of at least $1,000–more than most midwives would be willing or able to spend. This is where we come in! The Midwives-PAC pays the cost to attend, thus providing either our lobbyist or local midwives with the opportunity to make personal connections with their legislator and his or her staff. Midwives can educate them about the vital services they provide in the community, and urge them to support federal issues that matter to ACNM. Events like this often hold the key to gaining long-term support from members of Congress.
Above is a list of our recent campaign contributions. Looking ahead, we will continue to support candidates with difficult re-election battles who are supportive of our issues and positioned to contribute to our legislative success.
Supporting a candidate’s election effectively demonstrates our recognition that seeking public office is expensive. When we provide financial support, we are recognized as being involved in politics. Such support does not ensure a politician’s vote, but it is an opportunity to present our issue in person.
No, but you can make recommendations to the Midwives-PAC Board of Directors.
Donations from incorporated businesses or practices may be accepted by the Midwives-PAC administration account, which helps cover the administrative costs of the Midwives-PAC. These corporate donations benefit the Midwives-PAC greatly by allowing a greater proportion of personal contributions be used for campaign contributions rather than for administrative costs.
Certain categories may contribute monies, such as foreign citizens who are lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States (such as those who have a ‘green card’).
Your membership helps you succeed, gives you a voice, keeps you updated, and connects you to others.
Our members are primary care, sexual, and reproductive providers for people throughout their lifespans, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health.
To the new website for the American College of Nurse-Midwives. If you need to access a resource from the previous website, please click below.