In a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, legislators met to discuss the override of several executive orders issued by Governor Mike Dunleavy, the last of which sought to eliminate the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives. The Executive Order would have transferred the board’s duties to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
Currently, the Midwives Board regulates policies, procedures, and practices for midwives across the state of Alaska. The governor, in his executive order, said he believed the action was “in the best interests of efficient administration,” and that the transfer of such a board to bureaucratic oversight would “encourage the development of expertise in the profession, eliminate duplication of function, and provide a single point of responsibility for state policy relating to the practice of midwifery.”
In the joint session, several legislators stood to speak in favor of the override.
“Women across the country are being marginalized. I believe that. We, as both bodies, should support the women across Alaska and support a yes vote on this,” said representative Jamie Allard (R-Eagle River).
“I cannot think of a more libertarian or conservative group of health care professionals than the midwives. To me, they are the epitome of what I want to be free from government regulation, free from being underneath the government’s thumb,” said representative Kevin McCabe (R-Big Lake).
Senator Jesse Bjorkman of the Kenai Peninsula said that the testimony already provided demonstrated the importance this board has to the people of Alaska;
“In [the] Senate Labor and Commerce [Committee] we heard extensive testimony from midwives as well as people who are deeply connected to having the ability and option to have their births outside of a hospital or usual medical facility. We heard about the desire from midwives for their profession to be regulated and have a board that represents them professionally in what those regulations are and what those folks are able to do and it was inspiring to hear that so many people that have a very deep and heartfelt connection to midwifery speak about the importance of their profession and the importance of the opportunity for medical freedom that they provide, as well as an opportunity for folks to have a home birth in a space that’s comfortable to them.”
In a show of unquestionable solidarity on the issue, the joint legislative body voted to override EO 130 by a resounding 58-1.