HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0104.001 2022-2024 P C�oEACG
5. 51- 5
COUNI u Cl;g CQMNt.lou
COUNTY OF HAMA
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Aloha e ChairKimball,Vice Chair Inaba, and Honora'bl'e M m�bers'dt the Cencil,
I STAND IN STONG SUPPORT OF RESO 57-23 RELATING TO CHAPTER 457J-'
MIDWIFERY LICENSURE.
First of all, I would like to really thank you for taking the time on your agenda to schedule this
very important resolution. As we see on a national level, our reproductive rights are being
increasingly diminished and challenged, it is more important than ever that Hawaii uphold a
birthing person's autonomy to make decisions that strengthen, rather than limit, our access to
birth choices. Particularly for our rural communities, such as Hawaii County,were access to care
is already so limited.
As a practicing birth and labor support professional, I deeply understand that culturally
appropriate care is integral to positive birth outcomes and must reflect the multitude of needs in
our community. All birthing persons have the inalienable human right to choose their preferred
birth attendant and location. It is so important to support the State Legislature to:
• Codify the existing exemptions for traditional birth attendants to continue practicing.
• Allow all Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) to be eligible for licensure by
expanding the current qualifications for licensure to include the North American Registry
of Midwives portfolio evaluation process (PEP) as a legitimate way for students to obtain
a CPM certification and allows for a local pathway for those seeking licensure.
I am so grateful to see that the Committee on Health and Homelessness finds "that
traditionally-trained birth attendants of all cultures are valued and preferred by some consumers,
and that the type of birth attendant utilized at a birth should be the birthing person's choice. Your
Committee further finds that Act 32, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, inadvertently omitted a
category of professional midwives who have completed the North American Registry of
Midwives portfolio evaluation process. This measure is intended to broaden the pool of people
birthing persons may have to assist them at birth by including the North American Registry of
Midwives portfolio evaluation as proof of successful completion of a formal midwifery
education and training program for certified professional midwives."
Additionally,the Committee of Consumer Protection and Commerce under Chair Mark
Nakashima "finds that under the portfolio evaluation process, a candidate for certification as a
midwife proves that the candidate has completed a rigorous approved educational route, attended
at least fifty-five births under the supervision of a registered preceptor, demonstrated clinical
skills, and passed an examination."
Comm. No. 10 '
Ref.To: P(
Ref. Date FEB 2 4 20?3
As a Labor Support Professional myself, and a woman who has given birth at home for very
fundamental personal and cultural reasons, I am well aware of the incredible need and desire in
our community to uphold choice in all of our reproductive care surrounding birth.
I believe that NOT passing HB955 in the State Legislature will make birth in Hawaii very
unsafe, therefore I urge the Hawaii County Council to pass this Resolution.
Thank you for your service and for the opportunity to testify.
Sincerely,
Laura Acasio
Former State Senator, Labor Support Professional & Certified Lactation Counselor