AUGUSTA, Maine - Members of the Alliance for Maine Women say they will encourage state lawmakers to support bills that improve the economic security of women and their families, provide greater access to a wide range of health care, and give pregnant women more control over where to safely deliver their babies.
During a State House press conference today, Chris Yentes, a certified professional midwife, said she supports a bill that would require midwives to be licensed by the state.
"Licensing grants public recognition, acknowledgement, and mandates profession standards of practice,"Yentes said, "and increases the credibility of midwives to the public and other health professionals.
The Alliance also took supportive positions on bills that would would raise the state's minimum wage, provide expanded health insurance options to low-income uninsured residents and increased dental reimbursement rates for Medicaid patients.
The news conference was called as part of the annual Women's Day at the State House, which provides training for Maine women to participate in the democratic process.