PLEASE READ OUR ACTION ALERT PAGE THEN COME BACK AND CHECK OUT THE STUDY!

In 2007, the Washington State Department of Health was directed by the legislature to study the costs versus benefits of licensed midwifery to the State of Washington. The report, entitled “Midwifery Licensure and Discipline Program in Washington State: Economic Costs and Benefits,” was completed October 31, 2007, and released to the Midwives’ Association of Washington State and to the public on January 8, 2008. The study found that low-risk, out-of-hospital births of Medicaid patients cost the state at least $473,000 less than comparable low-risk hospital births during the two-year state budget cycle (or $236,000 per year), and over $2.7 million in costs are avoided per two-year budget cycle when both public and private insurers are included. The study also noted, but did not quantify, many other prospective costs that are avoided, due to the intensive level of prenatal and postnatal care provided by licensed midwives. These include: higher breast-feeding rates, fewer low-birth weight babies, a greatly reduced c-section rate, and a significantly lower risk of other costly medical interventions during labor and birth. To read the entire study, click the link below.

DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THE REPORT