Georgia Midwives Sue State Over Practice Bans Amid Maternal Care Crisis
This article details how Georgia’s restrictive laws on midwifery are forcing certified nurse-midwives like Sarah Stokely to travel long distances to practice, as physician collaboration agreements are prohibitively expensive. These regulations, along with limitations on non-nurse midwives, contribute to maternity care deserts and a high maternal mortality rate in the state. Stokely and other midwives are suing Georgia, arguing these policies violate the state constitution and hinder access to essential maternal care. Similar legal challenges are occurring in other states, highlighting a national struggle to expand midwifery access amidst varying state regulations.
John Q. Hosedrinker