House Bill Would Regulate Midwives

After months of hashing out details a bill creating a license for midwives in the state advances out of a Michigan House committee.

The bill lays out what midwives can or cannot do and includes education and certification requirements.

State Representative Ken Yonker is worried the new standards will take away what’s become an affordable healthcare option for low income families.

He worries midwives will increase their prices in response to paying a $200 annual licensing fee.

The bill’s sponsor, State Representative Ed McBroom, pledges that won’t be the case.

He says the lay midwife will still exist under the new licensing system.

The measure now awaits a vote in the full Michigan House.