Calif. physicians, hospitals quarrel over nurse-midwives legislation
The California Medical Association (CMA) is opposing a bill which would allow certified nurse-midwives to practice without physician supervision, but not because of the main goal of the legislation, according to Kaiser Health News.
The CMA and California Hospital Association are in agreement that nurse-midwives are qualified to work independently. The physician group’s concern is a withdrawn amendment which would have banned hospitals from hiring nurse-midwives, mirroring a similar law which applies to doctors. Without those comparable standards, the CMA argued the hospital-hired nurse-midwives may have their care decisions influenced by administrators.
“It should be a level playing field,” said CMA lobbyist Juan Thomas. “We believe very strongly that the corporate practice of medicine bar language provides an important layer of patient protection.”
Conversely, the hospital association is threatening to oppose the bill if the amendment is reinserted.
For more on the standoff between the two industry groups, and how midwives are caught in the middle, click on the link below:
John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.