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Permanent LinkMeeting Public Comments
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A bill for an act relating to the application of the certificate of need process only to nursing facilities.(See SF 2255.)
Subcommittee members: Edler-CH, Costello, Jochum
Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Time: 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Senate Lounge
Comments Submitted:
Download CommentsThe purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.
Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.
02-08-2022
Belinda Lassen []
I am a Certified Nurse Midwife licensed to practice in Iowa. I have been in practice for over 35 yrs. I speak on behalf of this bill as it pertains to the CON process. I would ask for strong support for SSB 3105. I am certain that I speak for many midwives and health care workers who wish to establish a birth center for low risk women and their families. Current CON process roadblocks any efforts to establish a birth center model of care. I know this from experience as I was involved in this process and denied the certificate to establish a birth center. More than ever, birth centers and midwives are needed. Hospitals in Iowa are closing their maternity units. Women do not have access to prenatal/birth care. Midwives are here to provide that care. and we need birth centers in order to provide safe, quality care. Current CON does not encourage this and . In fact, acts as a barrier to this model of care. Modification of current CON law will pave the way for better access to care. Please give your support to SSB3105. Thank you. Belinda Lassen
02-08-2022
Sarah Costello []
My name is Sarah Costello and I am from Solon, Iowa. I am an Iowa medical student and a mother of three children born in Iowa. I am asking you to vote 'yes' on SSB 3105 because it would increase access to maternity care in Iowa as we face statewide maternity care shortages. By removing the Certificate of need requirement for birth centers, this bill would remove barriers to midwives opening freestanding birth centers in Iowa. Iowans want more choice for quality maternity care, and many families that I have spoken with want access to midwifery led birth centers for their maternity care. Midwifery care has been shown time and again to have improved outcomes for mothers and babies. The Certificate of Need process limits Iowans choices in maternity care by making it near impossible to set up a birth center in Iowa. Please vote 'yes' for the health and freedom of Iowan families.
02-08-2022
Delwyn Lassen, MD [Promise Community Health Center ]
I am writing in favor of SSB 3105 as it pertains to CON process. This bill would allow establishment of small birth centers and increase patient access to quality maternity care. The CON process has been used to squash competition for far too long.
02-08-2022
Erica Robertson []
My name is Erica Robertson and Im a registered nurse in a clinic and homebirth practice. I am asking for your support of SSB3105 in order to give Iowa residents freedom of choice when deciding where they want to birth their babies. A removal of the Certificate of Need will allow for the opportunity for birth centers to be established. This could be a solution to the limited prenatal care/birth locations the state is starting to experience. During the last two years, Northwest Iowa has seen the closure of two hospital OB departments. Birth centers with highly educated and qualified midwives offer high quality and safe care. Research has indicated these are good options for pregnant women. Please support this bill and end the CON. Thank you. Erica Robertson
02-08-2022
Courtney DeLoss []
My name is Courtney DeLoss. I am a mother of three and am asking actually begging you to please support SSB 3105. The fact that we as woman along with our families have to drive at a minimum of an hour to access midwifery model of care is not acceptable. This is denial of care. The quality outcomes that midwifery model of care products is not debatable but is published data. Please remove this barrier to access of care by supporting SSB 3105.
02-08-2022
Bethany Schiefelbein []
Voting "Yes" on SSB 3105 is important for maternity care for Iowa mothers and infants. Iowa is facing a maternity and midwifery care shortage and this has detrimentally affected our citizens. The politics of birth care have prevented midwives from entering practice in many areas. Removing the CON requirement for freestanding birth centers provides midwives and pregnant women with access to the care deserved.