ALASKA MIDWIVES
AT A CRITICAL CROSSROADS
Governor Dunleavy’s EO 130
Alaska Midwives
At A Critical Crossroads
Governor Dunleavy’s EO 130
Government Efficiency Leads to More Expensive and More Dangerous Births
Imagine telling pregnant mothers – perhaps your wives, daughters, or others that you know and care for that for the sake of government efficiency, Alaska is reducing the options available to them, and they will have to give birth in doctor directed birth centers or hospitals increasing the time, difficulty, and cost of every baby they deliver.
Imagine telling those same pregnant mothers that to achieve greater government efficiency they submit to birthing practices that have:
- 6X increase of maternal mortality***
- 17% higher incidence of Cesarean sections
- Increased risk of breastfeeding difficulty and failure
Imagine telling those pregnant mothers that the same government efficiency that is going to force them into more difficult, dangerous, and expensive deliveries could cost the State at least $5.1 MILLION DOLLARS MORE per year than it does now.***
Governor Dunleavy issued Executive Order (EO) 130 on January 15, 2024, directing the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives (the Board) to be eliminated, and their licensing and administration duties to be transferred to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED).
Governor Dunleavy’s proposal says that eliminating the Board will:
- More efficiently certify and regulate Alaska’s Midwives
- Develop greater expertise in the profession.
- Eliminate duplication of functions.
- Provide a single point of responsibility for regulating Alaska’s Midwives
Governor Dunleavy’s EO 130 disregards the fact that the Board already operates very efficiently, producing a $67,000 surplus in FY 2021.
Governor Dunleavy’s EO 130 omits that a DCCED Records and Licensing Supervisor is already “efficiently administering” the Midwives’ licensing and certifications.
Governor Dunleavy’s EO 130 fails to explain which of the 435 DCCED administrators will replace the 5-member board of Midwives, Nurse Midwife, and Physician currently serving on the Board.
Governor Dunleavy’s EO 130 fails to explain how replacing the 5 Medical Professionals with the 435 DCCED administrators will develop greater expertise in the Midwifery profession.
While eliminating the Board will not immediately eliminate midwives and midwifery services in Alaska, EO 130 provides no assurances that the licensing and administration of Certified Direct Entry Midwives will not be degraded or eliminated.
More importantly, eliminating the 5 Medical Professionals from the oversight, administration, and training of Alaska’s Midwives will certainly lead to worse outcomes for Alaskan mothers and babies.
It is also clear that maintaining the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives is a critical part of the care Alaska’s Midwives provide Alaskan mothers every day.
Join thousands of Alaskans in urging Governor Dunleavy and ALL Alaskan Legislators to rescind or disapprove EO 130 and protect Alaskan Mothers’ right to choose the best care for themselves and their babies.
Alaska Right To Life
As Alaskans committed to ending abortion for over 45 years, we’re just like you – we’re everyday Alaskans with jobs, and families, living the Alaskan dream, and we want abortion to end and all innocent human lives protected – especially the most innocent and vulnerable.
Alaska Right To Life understands how hard it is to save a single life. We continue to build coalitions with other ministries, churches, and other advocacy and political groups so that we can protect innocent human lives in any and every way possible.
We have helped tens of thousands of Alaskans get involved, serve in ministry, save babies, influence elections and legislation, and save lives since 1973.
