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The American Association of Birth Centers: History, Membership, and Current Initiatives
Author(s) -
Phillippi Julia C.,
Alliman Jill,
Bauer Kate
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of midwifery and women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1016/j.jmwh.2008.12.009
Subject(s) - certification , promotion (chess) , multidisciplinary approach , professional association , political science , public relations , law , politics
The American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) is a multidisciplinary membership organization dedicated to the birth center model of care. This article reviews the history, membership, and current policy initiatives of the AABC. The history of AABC includes the promotion of research, education, and national and state policies that are supportive of birth center care. Current AABC priorities address three main pressures to birth center sustainability: high malpractice insurance rates, the lack of a federally mandated birth center facility fee, and low rates of certified nurse‐midwife/certified midwife reimbursement. The AABC is addressing these concerns through lobbying, collaborating with other national organizations, and the promotion of birth research.