Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Birth‑center leaders press Nevada lawmakers for licensure, reimbursement and network access
Loading...
Summary
Leaders of Nevada’s only freestanding accredited birth center and community midwives told the committee their model yields better outcomes for low‑risk pregnancies but access is limited by lack of midwifery licensure, Medicaid reimbursement gaps and network exclusion; they urged a bill to create licensure pathways and payment alignment.
Representatives of Serenity Birth and community midwives testified that accredited freestanding birth centers and midwifery‑led models produce better outcomes for low‑risk pregnancies and lower intervention rates, and that Nevada’s regulatory and payment barriers prevent expansion.
April Clyde (certified nurse midwife, birth center founder) and Dr. Lorraine Garcia (midwife and health‑systems researcher) provided outcome figures from an accredited birth center with more than 1,200 families and multi‑year data showing low primary cesarean rates, very low very‑low‑birthweight admissions and high breastfeeding metrics. They argued that licensure for certified professional midwives (CPMs) and certified midwives, alignment of scope with national credentialing standards, Medicaid reimbursement parity and workforce development are necessary to scale the model and improve statewide outcomes.
Presenters and a hospital caller described complementary models—freestanding birth centers, alongside midwifery units within hospitals and transfer agreements—that can expand options while maintaining safety. Committee members asked how many states have similar licensure and reimbursement structures; presenters said most states have pathways and cited regional examples. No legislation was introduced during the hearing; presenters asked the committee to consider comprehensive statutory language addressing licensure, reimbursement alignment, network access and workforce investment.
The committee took no formal vote but signaled interest in further briefings and legislative drafting assistance.
