Published on January 30, 2025
What It means for the Cape and Commonwealth
The League of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area (LWVCCA) and Massachusetts (LWVMA) invite you to a virtual forum on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM to explore the background, emerging initiatives, policies, and services contained in the recently enacted Act promoting midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options.
This comprehensive legislation will overhaul maternal health practices in Massachusetts and expand coverage for midwifery, birth centers, doulas and treatment for postpartum depression, among several other initiatives to save lives and to advance racial and economic maternal healthcare justice.
Five speakers-a state senator, physicians, midwifery providers, and a birth doula-will discuss the features and the impact of the new law from their unique perspectives:
Senator Elizabeth "Liz" Miranda, 2nd Suffolk District, Massachusetts Senate
Dr. Hafsatou Diop, MD, MPH, MA Dept of Public Health-Assistant Commissioner for Health Equity
Dr. William Agel, MD, Cape Cod Healthcare-Chief Medical Officer, Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Erinn Bray, By Your Side Doula-Birth and Postpartum Doula
Katherine Rushfirth, CNM, FACNM, Boston Neighborhood Health Center- Policy Director and Certified Nurse Midwife
Jody Schwartz Belson, CNM, Outer Cape Health Services-Program Medical Director for Women's Health Services, Certified Nurse Midwife
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