HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 139

(By Delegates Perdue, Fleischauer, Lawrence, Barker, Moore, Staggers, Campbell, Guthrie, Marshall, Poore, Kinsey, Ellington, Householder, Sobonya, Rowan, Arvon and Border)

[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources; Reported March 7, 2014]

Requesting that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the benefits of recognizing Certified Professional Midwives in the State of West Virginia.

    WHEREAS, the Certified Professional Midwife Credential is approved by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), an accrediting body that accredits many healthcare credentials, including the Certified Nurse-Midwife and is currently recognized in 28 states; and

    WHEREAS, Home births have increased 29% from 2004-2009 (CDC) and quality studies have found that birth can safely take place with Certified Professional Midwives at home and in birthing centers (See Homebirth, An Annotated Guide to the Literature http://midwifery.ubc.ca/files/2013/11/HomeBirth_AnnotatedGuideToTheLiterature.pdf and the recent study, "Outcomes of care for 16,924 Planned Home Births in the United States: The Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project from 2004-2009" http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jmwh.12172/abstract); and

    WHEREAS, West Virginia is a state where most of the maternal and infant health indicators, including obesity, smoking and substance abuse, are preventable through appropriate counseling made more effective by building strong relationships. Such counseling and the relationship building are cornerstones of midwifery care; and

    WHEREAS, births attended by Certified Professional Midwives need fewer interventions and thus result in great cost savings to the state; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance be authorized to authorize a study the benefit of recognizing Certified Professional Midwives in West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare all reports and draft legislation be paid from the legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.