ADHS: Stop asking our midwives to do the impossible.
They cannot offer informed, evidence-based care and follow your
inconsistent rules.
Coercion is not consent!!
What: Rally in support of Arizona Midwives
When: Thursday, November 5, 2015
Where: In front of the Arizona Department of Health
Services, 150 N. 18 Avenue, Phoenix, 85007
Why: 22 of the 74 licensed Arizona midwives have been
disciplined for failing to practice according to the Arizona Rules &
Regulations. It’s time to let Governor Ducey, the Arizona Department of Health
Services (ADHS) and elected officials know that we want to stop the public
persecution of midwives. It’s time to support them in their efforts to offer
safe, evidence-based care to Arizona’s birthing families.
The state of Arizona has known for years that it’s archaic
laws force a midwife to choose between compliance with said rules and
regulations, and honoring the autonomous rights of her patient to a safe,
evidence-based birth.
In proceedings held in November, 2014, one state employee
admitted to this conflict:
“Tom Salow, ADHS’s acting Assistant Director of Licensing
testified that ADHS has been aware of this potential conflict in its rules for
years but has taken no action to rectify it, nor has it offered midwives a
course of action that would satisfy both the duty to transfer care and the duty
not to abandon a patient.”
Excerpt from Administrative Law Judge Decision, written by
her Honor, Judge D.M. Lang http://goo.gl/7x3TVS
More highlights from the Administrative Law Judge Decision,
written by her Honor, Judge D.M. Lang
“It is hard to understand how a violation…warrants a year
suspension when ADHS knows its own rules and lack of guidance have put the
midwife in this position…Considering that ADHS has known about the potential
problem posed by the rules for years and yet has failed to arrive a t a
solution itself, it is unrealistic to expect midwives to hit on the perfect
balance of safety and duty when suddenly placed in an awkward position…”
“…an internal inconsistency in the laws and rules, combined
with ADHS’ failure to provide guidance that ensures no mother and child will be
abandoned without professional care, makes it impossible for midwives to follow
the rule….if ADHS cannot think of an answer to the dilemma, it hardly seems
appropriate to discipline others for having the same number of answers: none."
My favorite line:
“...it is not appropriate to require anyone
to do the impossible.”
I’m going to be there on Thursday – will you join me and
other birthing families to show support and raise our voices with Arizona’s
midwives?
Sweet Pea Families blog post – how compliance would have affected our birth:
AZ Midwife relates her tale of trials and tribulations with
ADHS
Ruling by Hon. Judge Lang:
Disclaimer:
The material included in this video is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.