For pregnant women, Illinois continues to be one of this country's worst states. I won't go into the messy details, but suffice it to say the prevalence of impatient doctors, uncomfortable settings, unnecessary medications, and the all-too-common c-sections have created a hostile environment for women who want to birth their babies naturally.

One of the remedies for the generally negative hospital birthing experience is home birth. While often not recommended for first time moms, my wife and I know several second and third-time moms who have given birth in their living rooms over the last few years, often without the aid of a doula or a midwife. This is risky behavior, not because giving birth and home is risky (quite the contrary) but because of the lack of a midwife or doula, who can respond to any pressing medical needs.

The reason so many moms choose to give birth their own is because home birth options are still slim here and not covered by insurance, since Illinois does not currently license traditional professional midwives. There are many reasons for this misguided policy (not the least of which is the power of the AMA in our state), but either way this must stop.

The Certified Professional Midwife Licensure Act (HB645) will be heard in
committee THIS WEDNESDAY! If you have time this Tuesday (2/8) to call some of the representatives listed below it might help to get this bill out of committee and introduced in Illinois. My wife and I made the calls 2 years ago and it only takes about 10 minutes because the phone calls are very short, just giving your name and address. 2 years ago 5 of 14 committee members voted yes for the bill so there is hope.

The following is a very simple script to follow. After giving name and address
say:

"Please vote YES for HB645 in the Registration and Regulation Committee."

Do not offer further information, but if they ask say "I do not live in your district but I understand that on committee issues, your representation extends beyond your district."

That's it! Less than one minute per call. Here are the numbers. Thanks to anyone who can call even one person:


Registration and Regulation Committee

Angelo Saviano (R) - (217) 782-3374 - (217) 557-7211 FAX
Edward Acevedo (D) - (217) 782-2855 - (217) 782-7762 FAX
Patricia Bellock (R) - (217) 782-1448 - (217) 782-2289 FAX
Richard Bradley (D) - (217) 782-8117 - (217) 558-6369 FAX
Rich Brauer (R) - (217) 782-0053 - (217) 782-0897 FAX
Daniel Burk (D) - (217) 782-1117 - (217) 782-0927 FAX
Elizabeth Coulson (R) - (217) 782-4194 - (217) 782-1275 FAX
Monique Davis (D) - (217) 782-0010 - (217) 782-1795 FAX
William Delgado (D) - (217) 782-0480 - (217) 557-9609 FAX
John Fritchey (D) - (217) 782-2458 - (217) 557-7214 FAX
Paul Froehlich (R) - (217) 782-3725 - (217) 782-1336 FAX
Kurt Grandberg (D) - (217) 782-0066 - (217) 557-7598 FAX
Thomas Holbrook (D) - (217) 782-0104 - (217) 782-1333 FAX
Kevin Joyce (D) - (217) 782-8200 - (217) 782-0945 FAX
Renee Kosel (R) - (217) 782-0424 - (217) 557-7249 FAX
Frank Mautino (D) - (217) 782-0140 - (217) 557-7680 FAX
Michael McAuliffe (R) - (217) 782-8182 - (217) 558-1073 FAX
Susana Mendoza (D) - (217) 782-7752 - (217) 782-8917 FAX
David Miller (D) - (217) 782-8087 - (217) 558-6433 FAX
John Millner (R) - (217) 558-1037 - (217) 558-3539 FAX
Rosemary Mulligan (R) - (217) 782-8007 - (217) 782-4533 FAX
Ruth Munson (R) - (217) 782-8020
Brandon Phelps (D) - (217) 782-5131 - (217) 782-4213 (temp)
David Reis (R) - (217) 782-2087 - (217) 782-1336 FAX
Dan Reitz (D) - (217) 782-1018 - (217) 782-0945 FAX
Ed Sullivan (R) - (217) 782-3696 - (217) 558-3539 FAX