Midwifery bill lacks key safeguards

To the editor:

The proposed Lay Midwifery Bill lacks accountability by delegating authority to unlicensed apprentices to practice medicine. Further, there is no requirement for liability insurance. The grandmother clause in this bill allows someone to bypass the licensure requirements. There is a lack of written protocols for transfer agreements and a lack of required collaborative practice agreements with a physician capable of performing a Caesarean section. I am appalled at the lack of safety first in this bill. It seems like legislators supporting this situation do not have the best interests of their citizens at heart. I hope common sense prevails.

Dr. SCOT G. PRINGLE, OB-GYN Specialists of Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau