We are currently in the midst of a maternal health crisis. Despite being one of the wealthiest and most highly resourced nations globally, the United States continues to struggle with shockingly high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. This crisis is a matter of public health and also reflects systemic failures and disparities within our healthcare system.

The good news is we already have something that works: midwives. The bad news is that some places in the U.S. have made it difficult for midwives to provide the care that we so desperately need.