ACTION ALERT! PLEASE CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR Monday and Tuesday 4/19/21 and 4/20/21

Phone calls are best but if you cannot call, please send an email. Senators can be emailed through their websites at https://senate.texas.gov.

We specifically need calls from constituents to districts 18, 28, 29, 24, 25, 2, 13, 10, 31, and 28 (more details below)

After you call or email, please let us know. Email [email protected] with your name and a brief summary of the response you received. Also let us know if you’d like to be in our database for future alerts.

Start with: Hello, My name is ______and I am calling to request that Senator ______support SB735, a bill to ensure that midwives are able to administer key standard of care medications.

Share 1-3 sentences about your experience with midwives (no details about birth). Say why you support the bill. Use 2-3 of the talking points below. · The bill would allow Licensed Midwives to carry specific life-saving medications including anti-hemorrhagics, IV fluids, Vitamin K for newborns, and Rhogam for pregnant people without orders from a physician. · The bill would require approved pharmaceutical training. Midwives are already trained in using standard of care medications, but this bill would standardize pharmaceutical training. · The bill will NOT grant any prescriptive authority but simply remove the standing order requirement for a small number of necessary medications. · Midwives can currently carry these medications under orders of a physician, but it is difficult for many midwives, especially in rural areas, to find a willing physician. The bill removes the burden from physicians. This is especially important with a medical system already stressed by Covid-19. · Midwives are key to expanding access to maternity care, especially in rural areas. This bill removes barriers to increased access to midwifery care in rural communities. This is especially important with the additional burden Covid-19 has placed on the healthcare system. · Covid-19 has created increased demand for community birth with midwives. · If you are a midwife, you can talk about being a small business owner and the challenges of finding standing orders. Do’s and Don’t(s): DO share your personal experience with midwives and the excellent care they provide. DO share why having a midwife is important to you. DON’T share details of your birth story. DON’T use insider language or too many details about midwifery. DON’T say negative things about doctors or hospitals. DON’T say that midwives are currently unsafe because they cannot carry these medications without physician supervision - speak positively instead. DON’T attack or use partisan language. If you are a supporter of the Senator’s party, it is fine to state that, but otherwise avoid partisan politics.

Example: I have had 2 births with midwives and my midwife empowered me with information to have beautiful and safe birth. I believe midwives should be able to carry necessary medications. Example: I had an amazing home birth with a midwife. When a complication arose after my baby was born, my midwife took immediate action to keep me safe. Example: Maternity care is very difficult to find in my county. My Midwife provided safe care for me and my baby.

If you aren’t sure who represents you/which district you are in, look it up here: https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home

District 18 – Senator – Republican - (512) 463-0118 – District offices in Brenham, Victoria, and Katy

Distrcit 28 – Senator Charles Perry – Republican (512) 463-0128 – District offices in Lubbock, San Angelo, and Childress

District 29 – Senator César Blanco - Democrat - (512) 463-0129 – El Paso area – no district office listed

District 24 – Senator – Republican - (512) 463-0124 – District office in Abiline, Belton, Kerrville

District 25 – Senator – Republican - (512) 463-0125 – District office in New Braunfels

District 2 – Senator – Republican - (512) 463-0102 – District offices in Rockwall, Greenville, and Canton

District 13 – Senator – Democrat - (512) 463-0113 – Two district offices in and one in Missouri City

District 10 – Senator – Democrat - (512) 463-0110 District office in Ft. Worth

District 31 – Senator - Republican - (512) 463-0131 District offices in Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, and Big Spring