Idaho bill could require midwife licenses
Friday, February 20, 2009 10:50 AM PST
BOISE (AP) — Midwives say they’ve addressed doctors’ and hospitals’ concerns over a plan to license midwives, after opposition helped kill a similar proposal last year.
The bill that died in the legislature last year would have made licensing voluntary and drew the ire of groups such as the Idaho Medical Association. Currently Idaho requires no license or certification to be a midwife, but midwives are recognized by state law.
The House State Affairs Committee has agreed to debate the measure put forth by the Idaho Midwifery Council more fully. Last year’s hearing on the bill lasted two days and occasionally became heated. Idaho Medical Association CEO Susie Pouliot told the Associated Press that the group has not taken an official stance on this year’s bill and hopes to make a decision during its daylong board meeting Friday. The Medical Association board had a problem with draft legislation provided in December but by working together, the Midwifery Council and the Medical Association have come a long way toward addressing the association’s concerns, Pouliot said. She said requiring licenses instead of making them voluntary has made her more comfortable with the bill.
‘‘That’s huge, the voluntary possibility last year was a complete nonstarter,’’ Pouliot said.
