Pa. Senate Advances Midwifery Bill

HAP, advocacy coalition urge support for maternal health

October 22, 2025

The state Senate yesterday passed a bill that would create a pathway to licensure for Certified Midwives (CM) in Pennsylvania.

The legislation, Senate Bill 507, sponsored by Senator Rosemary Brown, passed by a 49–1 margin on Tuesday. It heads to the House for consideration. Ahead of the vote, HAP and the Pennsylvania Provider Advocacy Coalition submitted letters in support of the bill, highlighting the need to increase access and modernize maternal care delivery in Pennsylvania.

 The legislation also would allow midwives, under collaborative agreements, to prescribe medications for opioid use disorder.

“Substance use disorder and other behavioral health challenges are leading causes of maternal mortality in Pennsylvania,” HAP’s letter notes. “Senate Bill 507 establishes parameters for CMs to prescribe certain medications used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), a vital tool in improving continuity of care during and after pregnancy. This provision will help to reduce risk of relapse, overdose, and death among pregnant and postpartum patients with OUD.”

The letters from HAP and the Pennsylvania Provider Advocacy Coalition are available online. HAP will monitor legislative action as the bill advances and provide updates to members.

For additional information, contact Arielle Chortanoff, vice president, state advocacy, or Sarah Lawver, HAP’s senior director, state advocacy.