Do you want to help increase access to midwifery care in Oregon?
Please write a letter in support of House Bill 2388 and submit it through the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS) testimony portal by 3 PM on Wednesday, February 24th at: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Testimony/HHC

How to write your letter:

Address your letter correctly
“Dear Chair Prusak and Members of the House Health Committee,”
Letters should be sent to the House Health Committee members by submitting through the online portal: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Testimony/HHC

Keep it simple and no more than one page
Don’t introduce complex issues such as the HERC (OHP) coverage guidelines on out-of-hospital or VBAC that are beyond the scope of this bill.

Introduce yourself and what you want in the first sentence or two
For example:
I am a mother of two in Albany and had both my babies at home with midwives. I am writing to ask you to vote yes on HB 2388 to improve access to midwifery care.
-OR-
I am a midwife and small business owner in Bend and have been in practice for 9 years. Please vote yes on HB 2388 so that the mothers I work with can have insurance coverage for the safe and cost-effective care I provide.

Focus on 2 or 3 of the following key points and share your personal story

Midwives provide excellent and safe care
- Share your personal story of midwifery care
Midwifery care provides large cost savings to insurers and health systems but many families still can’t access midwifery care because about half of Oregon insurers (both private and OHP) provide limited or no coverage for birth center or home birth midwifery care
- Share your personal story of insurance barriers to midwifery care and the cost of midwifery care.
HB 2388 would increase access to midwifery care for Oregon families whether they choose to give birth in hospital, birth center, or home with Licensed Direct-Entry Midwives, Certified Nurse Midwives, or Naturopathic Physicians.
- Share your personal story of what improved access to midwifery care would mean to you or your community.

In closing, repeat your request and express gratitude
For example:
Please vote yes on HB 2388 so that all Oregon families have access to midwifery care. Thank you for the work you do to support the health of mothers and babies.

Include your full name and address with zip code
Include your credentials if you have them (LDM, CNM, ND etc)

Taken from email authored and sent by Silke Anderson President of the Oregon Midwifery Council