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SD 1677

An Act to increase access to nurse-midwifery services

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brendan Crighton

Massachusetts bill removes barriers to independent nurse-midwife practice to increase maternal healthcare access in underserved regions and reduce provider shortages.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 1677

Legislative bill overview

SD 1677 aims to expand access to nurse-midwifery services in Massachusetts by removing or modifying regulatory barriers that currently limit where and how certified nurse-midwives can practice. The bill addresses workforce shortages in maternal healthcare by enabling these licensed professionals to serve more patients, particularly in underserved areas.

Why is this important

Maternal healthcare access remains uneven across Massachusetts, with rural and low-income communities facing particular shortages of obstetric providers. Nurse-midwives are cost-effective providers who handle routine pregnancies and deliveries, allowing physicians to focus on high-risk cases. Expanding their scope of practice could improve outcomes and reduce maternal mortality while addressing provider shortages.

Potential points of contention

  • Physician oversight concerns: Medical societies may argue that nurse-midwives require greater physician supervision for patient safety, while midwifery advocates contend that current restrictions are overly paternalistic and unnecessary for routine care
  • Scope of practice boundaries: Disagreement over which clinical situations require physician involvement versus independent nurse-midwife management, and how emergency protocols would function
  • Insurance and reimbursement: Uncertainty about whether expanded practice will receive equivalent insurance reimbursement, affecting the financial viability of standalone midwifery practices and their ability to serve vulnerable populations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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