Missouri: stealth midwifery law on hold

In response to a lawsuit brought by Missouri physician groups, a judge has issued a temporary restraining order against a new law regulating midwives. A provision permitting the practice of midwifery was secretly attached to a bill on affordable health insurance that passed the legislature and was signed into law by the governor. The judge has set an August 2 hearing date on the law that is scheduled to take effect August 28. Missouri is the only state in which it remains a felony to practice midwifery, except in specific situations involving physicians.  Read more.