Midwives achieve legal breakthrough in USA.

• Tenlastelegging: News from ICM and partners

News from ICM member, the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM), came in August to say that the US House of Representatives passed the 'Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007', which expands health care coverage to pregnant women and their children, and addresses a long-standing inequity in reimbursement for services of certified nurse-midwives (CNMs). The ACNM is proud to have endorsed this important legislation and worked hard for its passage.

ACNM President Kitty Ernst said, 'The legislation will ensure that many of our nation's uninsured children have access to vital health care coverage through the State Children's Health Insurance Program. It will also improve access to care for children in underserved areas, help reduce minority health disparities, and protect the Medicare program for the long term.

ACNM especially applauds the provision in the bill eliminating payment limits for CNM services. Under the new...