The ALDPH has said that the American Association of Birth Centers(AABC) took part in the commentary that helped create these proposed regulations. This is incorrect, as AABC’s best practices in regulations speak to the direct opposite of what is being proposed. 

Those proposing these rules should understand that the CPM credential is the only NCCA-accredited midwifery credential that includes a requirement for out-of-hospital experience, and physician oversight is not appropriate for the level of care midwives provide in out-of-hospital spaces. 

In Alabama, two proposed birth centers, and one birth center (which was shut down by ALDPH) are all owned and operated by Black women. These qualified pregnancy care providers are creating solutions to the morbidity and mortality epidemic in the United States disproportionately affecting outcomes of Black women, and with a sizable, gaping disparity in outcomes enumerated in Alabama.  These rules threaten to discourage realized solutions to poor outcomes and poor access to care. These rules eliminate the possibility of midwives from operating within the defined scope of practice and expertise. 

These barriers continue to reinforce the fact that this is not about access to healthcare for pregnant people or about better outcomes for birthing families.