Last updated 6:54PM ET
May 24, 2012
KBIA Local
KBIA Local
Midwifery Now Legal in Missouri
(2008-06-25)
(KBIA) - In a surprise decision Tuesday, the Missouri Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling that tossed out last year's midwifery law. That provision was secretly added onto a health insurance bill and discovered later after it was sent to Governor Blunt. Republican Senator John Loudon of St. Louis County wrote the midwives provision:

"The law allows somebody with a national certification in these services (to practice midwifery), and they have to meet a stringent course of education, attending more births than what a doctor needs to have attended before they can practice."

The court ruled to overturn the lower court decision 5 to 2. In a written statement, the Missouri State Medical Association criticized the decision, calling it a setback for the health and well being of Missouri mothers and their babies. © Copyright 2012, KBIA