Press Release from Midwives Alliance of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
BETH CURTIS
Midwives Alliance of Pennsylvania 
beth@believeinbirth.com
www.pamidwivesalliance.org

The Midwives Alliance of Pennsylvania has announced today that The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has reversed the September 2007 decision of the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine to order Lancaster County Certified Professional Midwife Diane Goslin to cease and desist from the practice of midwifery. Diane Goslin may now legally attend births in The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Contrary to the Board of Medicine’s prior statements, the Commonwealth Court determined on Friday that, “…practicing midwifery cannot be construed to be the same as practicing medicine and surgery.” The Board had wrongly contended that Goslin was in violation of the 1985 Medical Practice Act by practicing medicine without a license.

Additionally, The Commonwealth pointed out that the 1985 Act, “…authorizes the Board to impose penalties only upon persons who practice as a nurse midwife without a nurse midwife license.” Goslin as a Certified Professional Midwife is certified by the National Association of Registered Midwives (NARM) and is considered trained and qualified to attend out of hospital birth.

The Commonwealth Court’s 5-2 ruling also overturned an $11,000 civil fine that the State Board of Medicine imposed on Midwife Diane Goslin. President Judge Bonnie Brigance Leadbetter and Judge Doris A. Smith-Ribner dissented, but did not file opinions explaining their votes.
Goslin, 50, who lives near Strasburg in the heart of Lancaster County’s Amish community, said today her interpretation of the ruling is that it allows her to resume deliveries. The state board of medicine couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

The board took action against Goslin in early 2007, eventually fining her $11,000. The situation resulted in several occasions where hundreds of Amish men, women and children came to Harrisburg to rally in support of Goslin.

The board can appeal to the state Supreme Court, no decision has been reached at this point whether they will pursue that course of action.

The Midwives Alliance of Pennsylvania (MAP) is a professional trade organization representing midwives statewide. MAP membership includes midwives, students, and a supporting membership of other healthcare professionals and consumers. MAP affirms the unique fabric and diversity of midwifery in Pennsylvania and seeks to promote and preserve the art and craft of midwifery while serving as a self-governing and self-regulating sisterhood for participating midwives. The aim of this group is to successfully advance legislation for the recognition, regulation and licensure of Certified Professional Midwives in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Diane Goslin Ruling Reversed!

Today, Friday May 23rd, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania reversed the PA Board of Medicine’s order of Diane Goslin to cease and desist her practice of midwifery. The court also stated a clear opinion contradicting the Board of Medicine’s contention that Goslin practiced both midwifery and medicine with a license, stating “…practicing midwifery cannot be construed to be the same as practicing medicine and surgery.”

See the www.SaveHomebirth.com for more information and updates.

Read the ruling by the Commonwealth Court here: http://tinyurl.com/4kfcqb

Congratulations to Diane and her family!