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HB 1092

Licensed Midwife Public Health Facility Privileges

2026 Regular Session

Colorado bill grants licensed midwives clinical privileges at public health facilities to expand maternity care access and reduce costs through integrated midwifery services.

House Committee on Health & Human Services Postpone Indefinitely
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Bill Summary · HB 1092

Legislative bill overview

HB 1092 would grant licensed midwives admitting and clinical privileges at public health facilities in Colorado, allowing them to provide maternity care within hospital and clinic settings. The bill appears designed to expand access to midwifery services by integrating licensed midwives into the public healthcare infrastructure rather than limiting them to private or home birth practice.

Why is this important

Midwifery care is significantly less expensive than physician-attended births and has comparable safety outcomes for low-risk pregnancies according to peer-reviewed research. This bill could increase maternity care access in underserved rural areas and reduce healthcare costs for Colorado's public health system, while also addressing potential workforce shortages in obstetrics.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of practice boundaries: Defining which procedures and complications licensed midwives can handle versus when physician oversight is required, and whether current licensing standards are adequate for hospital-based practice
  • Liability and malpractice: Questions about who bears responsibility for complications, insurance requirements, and whether public facilities face increased legal exposure
  • Professional turf concerns: Obstetrician/gynecologist organizations may resist perceived encroachment on their patient base and clinical authority, even in public systems

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

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