04/25/2025
Dear clients, family and all interested in Midwifery care as a choice in Texas! Once again, Midwifery is under attack. I ask you to read this post and make your opinion known to our legislators. This bill could greatly alter your access to Midwifery care and your choice of birthing options!
House Bill 4553 is not good for Midwives!
House Bill 4553 has officially been set for a hearing in the House Public Health Committee on Monday, April 28 at 8:00 A.M. in Room E2.030 at the Capitol.
House Bill 4553 threatens the autonomy of our profession under the guise of data collection. While framed as a neutral reporting bill, HB 4553 lays the groundwork for invasive oversight, misrepresentation of outcomes, and the further medicalization of midwifery care without the context or nuance necessary to accurately represent our clients or our work.
We need every midwife, student, client, and supporter to contact the public health committee and urge them to oppose HB 4553.
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What You Can Do Today:
1. Call the Public Health Committee – urge them to oppose HB 4553.
Phone: 512-463-0806
2. Contact Chairman VanDeaver directly – tell him to withdraw his support for this bill.
Email: gary.vandeaver@house.texas.gov
Phone: 512-463-0692
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Call Script or Email Template:
Subject: Oppose HB 4553 – Protect Midwifery from over regulation and medicalization. Protect Family Choice
Dear [Chairman VanDeaver / Public Health Committee Member],
I am a [licensed midwife/client/family member/supporter] writing to strongly oppose House Bill 4553, scheduled for hearing on Monday, April 28. This bill, though presented as a neutral data reporting proposal, contains harmful and confusing language that would result in over regulation, redundant statistics collection, the medicalization of and the erosion of midwifery care in Texas.
Texas midwives are already held to high standards of safety and accountability. This bill duplicates existing reporting, imposes burdensome new rules, threatens privacy, and undermines informed choice in birth.
I respectfully urge you to oppose HB 4553 and support true solutions that protect safe birthing options across our state.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
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We must act now. Please make your call today, and help us mobilize clients and supporters in your community.
