My rights or your turf?

The Missouri State Medical Association has sued to keep midwifery illegal in Missouri. They challenge the constitutionality of the amendment that legalizes CPMs, claiming that midwifery is not related to the subject of the bill, which is health insurance. The medical association makes ludicrous claims about the meaning of the amendment, expounding about brick layers and abortions.

The amendment legalizes Certified Professional Midwives. It does this by overriding any other law disallowing people holding tocological (that means "birth-related") certification from an accredited organization. Only Certified Professional Midwives meet the criteria in the amendment. They are only legalized to practice according to their certification, which does NOT include (as MSMA claims) "c-sections, epidural anesthesia, and even terminations." The amendment does not legalize brick layers or professional golfers, as MSMA claims. They are spouting blatant falsehoods to turn people against this piece of legislation.

The amendment legalizing Certified Professional Midwives is not the ideal piece of legislation for anyone's purpose. Even midwifery advocates preferred a more straightforward bill, which regulates CPMs in much more detail. Such a bill was filibustered by the MSMA's pet Missouri Senator, Chuck Graham. The opponents refuse to negotiate or discuss reasonable legislation that will remove midwives from the category of felons. They will trample on my rights to protect their turf, their legally enforced monopoly on prenatal and birth care.