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I was curious as to why Republican State Senator John Loudon has invested so much time and energy over the last several years to legalize midwifery in Missouri. Although I have lived and worked in several states, I can’t recall knowing anyone who has used the services of a midwife.

I emailed Senator Loudon and asked him to enumerate the public policy issues which led him to sponsor this legislation. He replied that he asked himself the question: Would midwifery add freedom or reduce it for Missourians? For him, the answer was clear, it would provide more freedoms: Freedom to choose midwifery over a hospital service and freedom to choose a less expensive birth delivery service. Senator Loudon also pointed out that a recent study in the state of Washington indicated that $2.5 million dollars was saved annually in Medicaid costs because low income families used midwives instead of hospitals.

I am not qualified to comment on the medical issues involved in midwifery. However, 37 other states permit the practice and the law requires a rigorous training program before anyone can be certified to practice midwifery. Therefore, this new law is a sound medical service for the citizens of Missouri.

(The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of St. Louis Public Radio.)

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