For anyone who might be able to make the trip to support our Homebirth Midwives.... I was blessed to be doula a homebirth this Winter, that was backed-up by Maryellen. She is a competent, wonderful, caring midwife. I have a hard time seeing this as anything other than one more modern-day witch hunt and am disheartened by the possibility that there may be no way to stop the "rubber stamping" of the cease and desist at this point.
On a personal note, it just so happens that Maryellen is one of the possible back-up midwives in my own planned homebirth (I'm at 35 weeks now), so this could potentially impact my own birth.
Connecticut currently has one hosptial-based birth center (that is not exactly on terra firma lately), and one free-standing birth center. Homebirth is the only realistic option for many women in the state who are seeking a birth in the Midwifery Model of Care. Loosing even one midwife impacts the homebirth community deeply, let alone the president it sets to "go after" more midwives.
So, IF there is anyway you can attend, please do so. Thanks!
Maura Jo
-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
> The executive committee of the Connecticut Medical Examining Board (MEB) has
> a proposed Memorandum of Decision concerning the Dept of Health's request
> that the Board issue a cease and desist the practice of medicine order to
> Joan Mershon and Maryellen Albini, CPM (two and a half years after the last
> hearing). The proposed memorandum of decision recommends issuing the cease
> and desist order and will be presented to the MEB on March 18th at 1:30 PM
> at the Dept of Public Health Complex, Building 470, Room C, 410 Capitol Ave,
> Hartford. That recommendation suggests that the hearing panel completely
> ignored virtually all defense testimony in more than 3 years of
> hearings.Attorney Diane Polan, representing Mershon/Albini, feels that the
> cease and desist order will be issued (a rubber stamp) and we should
> immediately appeal through the courts. However, even though the meeting on
> the 18th may be simply procedural, it is very important that we maintain a
> high profile of public support. Please consider showing up on Tues. We need
> to be as visible as possible. Please try to attend and perhaps get there
> between 1-1:30. Thank you.
>
> Here is the a link to the aganda for the March 18 meeting:
>
http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/phho/m...agenda_march_1
> 8_2008.pdf
> And some history of the case:
>
http://www.ufmidwiferycare.freeservers.com/news.htm
CALLING CONNECTICUT area folks -- CPM Hearing in Hartford Tuesday
Homebirthin' Doula-ing, CBE-ing, Aspiring Midwife Conneticut Momma to two littles (1/06 and 4/08) I'm rarely around here, but I try to "stop in" monthly or so. So 
: the site!!
