Washington, D.C. – Earlier this week, on International Day of the Midwife, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), reintroduced the Maternal and Infant Delivery: Wellness, and Integration with Vital Expertise Support (MIDWIVES) for Servicemembers Act.
U.S. Representatives Emily Randall (WA-06), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) co-led the bipartisan midwifery legislation.
The bill would increase access to maternity care for servicemembers and their families by extending midwifery care to those enrolled in TRICARE through a 5-year pilot program. This legislation expands access to midwifery care and gives the Department of Defense the option to permanently expand coverage if the pilot program is successful.
“It is our job to support our servicemembers, and this includes providing help before, during and after childbirth,” said Strickland. “This bill expands midwifery care options, giving servicemembers and their families the care that they deserve.”
“As our troops and their families serve our nation, they deserve access to the very best care, especially if they are looking to start or expand their family,” said Ciscomani. “As a dad of six I can tell you, planning to welcome a child to your family is an exciting time. However, serving in the military or having a spouse in uniform can pose additional difficulties for mothers-to-be. This is why I once again joined Rep. Strickland in a bipartisan effort to expand access to midwifery care for military spouses and women in uniform who are enrolled in TRICARE to ensure they can receive the care they need.”
“Sexual and reproductive health care is essential, and we have a responsibility to ensure that service members and their families can access the care they deserve,” said Randall. “Expanding midwifery services through TRICARE is a critical step toward closing the dangerous gaps in maternal health care that too many people — especially those who serve our nation— are forced to navigate.”
“As a Navy veteran and former nurse practitioner, I know firsthand the importance of high-quality, accessible maternal care for our military families,” said Kiggans. “The MIDWIVES for Service Members Act is a commonsense, data-driven solution that expands care options under TRICARE, improves outcomes for mothers and babies, and helps reduce strain on military healthcare systems. I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan effort to better support those who serve by delivering the care they and their families deserve.”
The MIDWIVES for Servicemembers Act is endorsed by: American Association of Birth Centers (AABC), American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM), Birth Center Equity (BCE), Policy Institute for Community Birth and Midwifery (PICBM), True North Birth Center, and the National Partnership on Women and Families.
“As a retired military spouse, a mother who relied on TRICARE during my own pregnancies, and a midwife who has supported countless families, I know firsthand the unique challenges military families face. Being restationed—sometimes well into pregnancy—often means starting over and scrambling to find a new provider in areas already facing serious shortages. For the past year and a half, I’ve been advocating for a solution which has become The MIDWIVES for Service Members Act. Midwives provide safe, evidence-based, and compassionate care that meets families where they are. This bill will not only improve continuity of care for military families—it will expand access to high-quality maternity care nationwide. I’m deeply grateful to Representatives Strickland, Ciscomani, Randall, and all the supporters of this bill for recognizing the urgent need to better serve our nation’s heroes and their loved ones—no matter where duty takes them,” said Ashley Jones, Licensed Midwife and Executive Director of True North Birth Center.
“The MIDWIVES for Servicemembers Act directly addresses a critical gap in maternity care for military families by expanding TRICARE to include all credentialed midwives. By recognizing Certified Professional Midwives and Certified Midwives as authorized providers, this bill not only increases access to care, especially in underserved areas, but also affirms the right of military families to choose safe community-based care. With over half of U.S. birth centers staffed by CPMs, this legislation will dramatically expand access to midwifery-led birth center services. NACPM strongly supports this bill as a meaningful, evidence-based solution that honors the dignity, autonomy, and well-being of our nation’s servicemembers and their families,” said Cassaundra Jah, Executive Director of the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives.
“The National Partnership for Women & Families applauds the reintroduction of the MIDWIVES for Servicemembers Act, which would provide more care options for servicemembers, especially ones that reside in rural or maternity care shortage areas,” said Amani Echols, Senior Manager for Maternal & Infant Health at the National Partnership for Women & Families. “Research shows that midwifery care provides equal or better care and outcomes compared to physician care on many fronts. For example, midwifery care results in higher rates of spontaneous vaginal birth, higher rates of breastfeeding, higher satisfaction with care, and lower overall costs. Passage of the MIDWIVES for Servicemembers Act is an integral step towards improving maternal and infant health.”
“Expanding midwifery coverage for service members is a lasting investment in families,” says Leseliey Welch, Co-Founder and CEO of Birth Center Equity. “Evidence shows that the midwifery model of care leads to excellent outcomes including lower rates of interventions like cesarean sections and episiotomies, and increased patient satisfaction. Midwifery care also emphasizes a personalized, relationship-centered approach, fostering trust and empowerment for the birthing person.” With this bill, says Welch, “we hope that more and more service members will gain access to birth centers, the only health care facilities based in the midwifery model of care.”
“The American Association of Birth Centers is proud to support the Midwives for Servicemembers Act. Expanding coverage to include certified professional midwives and certified midwives will significantly improve access to midwifery-led birth center care. We commend Rep. Marilyn Strickland, Rep. Emily Randall, Rep. Juan Ciscomani, and Rep. Jen Kiggans for their leadership in advancing high-quality maternity care for our service members and their families,” said Trinisha Williams, President of AABC.
“Certified Professional Midwives and Certified Midwives at freestanding birth centers stand ready to serve military families, but Tricare doesn’t currently reimburse for their care. The Policy Institute for Community Birth and Midwifery is deeply grateful to Congresswoman Strickland for introducing the Midwives for Service Members Act, which would ensure these nationally certified providers are reimbursed. As military hospitals close maternity units and care deserts grow, midwives and birth centers are vital to filling the gap and ensuring military families aren’t left without options, said Mary Lawlor, CPM, Executive Director, Policy Institute for Community Birth and Midwifery.”
“The American College of Nurse-Midwives urges policymakers to support the Midwives for Service Members Act to ensure that military families have access to the full range of high-quality maternity care options, including midwifery services. Expanding access to certified midwives and certified professional midwives within the Military Health System is a cost-effective, evidence-based strategy to improve maternal health outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction, and address longstanding disparities in access to care for those who serve our country,” said Michelle Munroe, retired Army Colonel, and CEO of the American College of Nurse-Midwives
You can read the full bill text here.
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.
###