Legislative Advocacy Day 2026

Midwives from NACPM GA and Black Midwives Over Georgia with Lobbyist Wendi Clifton of Terminus Strategies

Last Wednesday, midwives from across Georgia came to the Capitol to lobby for HB520. We met with members of the House Health Committee (where our bill currently sits), as well as Representatives and Senators in both chambers. Here's what we learned:

The Good News:

Most representatives expressed no concerns or opposition to the bill

We delivered a presentation to the House Democratic Caucus and received tremendous support
Democratic legislators are particularly interested in midwifery education details and are ready to help us gain access to community colleges to establish Georgia's own accredited midwifery education programs
We've reached what we believe is neutral standing with the OBGYN community

The Challenges:

Some representatives shared concerns that revealed exactly why we need everyone's help:

Questions about feedback from doctors and hospitals
Uncertainty about the cost of licensure
Ongoing confusion about the difference between doulas and midwives (yes, still)
A fundamental lack of understanding about WHY midwifery licensure is necessary

Additionally, the hospital association has raised concerns that will require concessions before our bill receives a vote in committee.

Setting Realistic Expectations

We've always known we would not pass a bill this year. Our goal for this session has been to reach neutral ground with various oppositional groups, and we are on track for that important work. But reaching neutral ground requires building relationships, having countless conversations, and demonstrating that midwifery licensure is safe, necessary, and beneficial for Georgia families.

We need YOU- TODAY

This is where you come in. Many legislators simply don't understand WHY midwifery licensure matters. They need to hear from YOU—their constituents—about:

Why access to licensed midwives is essential for maternal health in Georgia
How midwifery care improves outcomes and reduces costs
Why Georgia families deserve the same safe, legal midwifery care available in 38 other states

Find out who represents you in Georgia’s two chambers by entering your address here.

That will give you their email address. THEN, send an email letting them know why you need them to support midwifery licensure in Georgia. Include any of the downloadable handouts in Step 3 of our Advocacy Toolkit here. Or just stick to the three main points below.

Tell your Representatives Why Midwives NEED Licensure in Georgia:

1- We are receiving Cease and Desist letters and being forced to quit practicing by the Georgia Board of Nursing, even though we are not nurses. Another cease and desist order was issued to a CPM in December of 2025, bringing another midwife’s ability to serve her community to a crashing halt.

2- We are unable to legally access emergency medications without a license.

3- Our students are not able to access federally funded midwifery education programs. The schools are not allowed to admit students from states that do not provide a legal pathway to practice. This is forcing Georgia to go backwards, away from highly skilled and educated birth attendants, when we need them the most. Additionally, this barrier affects BIPOC students the most, at a time when we need more BIPOC midwives.

4- Our maternity care workforce is dwindling as nurse-midwives step away, physicians drop out, and hospitals close. The evidence shows that licensing midwives increases the number of midwives able to serve and increases the quality of prenatal care available! Georgia needs this so bad right now!

We also Need Your Financial Support

Here's the reality: we are up against opposition with deep pockets. Every meeting, every presentation, every day at the Capitol requires resources we simply don't have without your support. Hospital associations and medical lobbying groups have significant funding. We have grassroots passion and evidence on our side—but we need donations to continue this fight.

Your donation—whether $25, $50, $100, or more—funds:

Legislative advocacy and lobbying efforts
Educational materials for legislators
Coalition-building with allied organizations
The persistent, patient work of turning opposition into partnership

Donate Now

P.S. Can't donate right now? The single most impactful thing you can do is contact your legislators. Find your representatives here. It takes 5 minutes and it matters enormously

Lobby For Midwives Day 2026