BFPA Official Position on SB507

Sep 8

Birth Freedom PA Official Position Statement on SB 507

Birth Freedom PA is founded to unite and support all types of midwifery groups, with the ultimate goal of protecting families’ right to choose their care providers and place of birth in the Commonwealth.

Birth Freedom PA affirms our support for Senate Bill 507. This legislation increases access to Certified Midwives within the medical midwifery model without impacting traditional or Direct-entry Midwives in Pennsylvania. Families will continue to have the right to choose the provider and model of care that best serves their needs.

SB 507 amends the Medical Practice Act of 1985.

This amendment introduces licensure in Pennsylvania for Certified Midwives (CMs), trained at Thomas Jefferson University. Acceptance of the amendment allows CMs to practice in Pennsylvania medical facilities beyond residency, expanding access to midwifery care.

Increasing the number of midwives in hospitals will improve patient-to-midwife ratios and enable more midwife-led maternity care teams. Research shows that midwife-led care leads to fewer interventions such as inductions, epidurals, and episiotomies, while increasing rates of vaginal birth. It is also associated with reduced preterm births, lower NICU admissions, fewer infant deaths, and decreased overall medical costs. Beyond these measurable outcomes, patients consistently report greater satisfaction with midwife-led care because it offers more continuity, personalized attention, and emotional support throughout the maternity experience.

The bill explicitly states it does not regulate lay midwives, direct-entry midwives, or other unlicensed birth workers:

“Nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize or prohibit the practice of lay midwives, direct-entry midwives or other unlicensed birth workers who do not hold a license under this act. A lay midwife, direct-entry midwife or other unlicensed birth worker who does not hold a license under this act shall not be considered licensed or regulated by the Commonwealth.”

Birth Freedom PA stands with consumers and the midwifery community for autonomy, informed choice, and unity across all midwifery models of care.

Resources:

For more information about this amendment:

https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=43833&document=SB507

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this legislation, please contact Christine Zubeck at 717-787-6123 or czubeck@pasen.gov.

You may reach out to Senator Pat Stefano, Chair, or another member of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee

https://consumer.pasenategop.com/committee-members/

Contact your senator to discuss your support of SB 507:

https://www.palegis.us/find-my-legislator

Research regarding midwife-led maternity care:

https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.18346?af=

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39597773/