Requiring CNMs to practice within obstetrician-led "patient care teams" increases regulation, reduces women's access to midwifery care (not all CNMs are able to find OBs to team with in their geographic areas), and increases the cost of midwifery care, with no added benefit for women in Virginia.

Evidence shows that for women with low-risk pregnancies, midwifery care leads to better outcomes and fewer interventions than OB care.  Midwives are highly-skilled and well-trained to be independent providers who work collaboratively with obstetricians on an as-needed basis.  Please help make midwifery care more widely available to the women of Virginia.  For low-risk women, midwifery care produces better health outcomes, reduces health care costs, and is beloved by those who receive it, myself included!

Please allow CNMs to practice independently!