The Midwifery Story

I hope you had a great Independence Day. This photo was taken of me in front of a float we made for the O'Fallon Parade a few years ago. — I hope you had a great Independence Day. This photo was taken of me in front of a float we made for the O’Fallon Parade a few years ago.

Imagine someone needing medical help and wanting healthcare options that are affordable and comfortable. Now imagine she has no choices in a freedom-loving state like Missouri because of bad laws that eliminate the most cost-effective options.

Seven years ago the practice of midwifery became legal in our state. Before that we were the only state where it was a felony to practice midwifery. I share the story with you today because it best illustrates how nearly impossible it is to pass good laws that offer us more freedom and how easy it is to pass bad laws that take away our freedom.

The first year I was elected to the House of Representatives, a lady come to my office asking me to sponsor an effort to legalize midwifery. Having gone through seven birth experiences of my own, I had more knowledge of this subject than any other legislator in the Capitol. I don’t even know her name, but she planted a seed in my mind that never left me.

The story that circulated around the capitol was about a lady who gave birth in Missouri. The police raided the birthing center, the midwife was taken away in handcuffs and the baby was confiscated as evidence. The case was used to send a message to other women in Missouri that if you attempt this, the government will inflict an emotional trauma on your family and destroy any happiness you may have had at the birth.

Missouri women were in an adverse situation with severe limitations on their birth options. They could give birth alone with no assistance, but if they had any help from a midwife, she could be prosecuted. While the law did not punish the mother, it made it impossible for her to hire a midwife.

Fortunately, I was able to pass my bill out of the Missouri House of Representatives in 2005, but the Senate filibustered it to death. Some of our biggest obstructionists were the Republicans. The worst were the ones who received big donations from the healthcare industry through campaign contributions. However, we are supposed to represent our Constitution and our constituents and fight to preserve and protect their freedom. It is not the job of the government to encroach on our ability to make our own free decisions.

Finally through an act of chicanery in 2007, the bill was passed into law. I don’t like it when we must play silly political games, but it might comfort some of you to know that the silly political games can go both ways.

To hear the entire story, you have to listen to our podcast.

If you promise to not make fun of my hair, I’ll let you see something that was in my office at the Capitol:

In other news…

Last week we went to visit Randy Stufflebeam, Vice-Chairman of the Constitution Party. He was in a motorcycle accident last Wednesday. We are fortunate to still have him with us. Even though Randy got a little banged up and it was painful to breathe, he still has the spark in him that ignited when we started talking about politics. Thanks for your prayers for Randy.

WHAT YOU CAN DO…

1.) All free market supporters should consider “going off the grid” of medical care and should ask their legislators to repeal laws that encroach on our freedom to select the provider of our choice. It is less expensive for the doctors and the patients alike to go without the governmental “middle-man” and the excessive federal regulations and handling costs involved.

2.) Listen to our podcast this week. We will tell the midwifery story, but we also talk about how bills become laws and the American Legislative Exchange Council (A.L.E.C.). You may have heard some negative news articles about A.L.E.C., but there is more to the story.

3.) We send a big thank you to all the kind and conscientious people who have donated to make it possible for us to produce our newsletter and podcast. Because we do not have any other funding stream, your donation will be extremely helpful in our efforts to communicate. Many people do not realize we are a volunteer entity and rely on their help and God’s leading to continue. If you would like to help, please send an email to:

Cynthia Davis
1008 Highway K
O’Fallon, Missouri 63366

Thank you for your consideration!

This Week On Home Front:

ALEC – Who Writes the New Laws?

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