American Nurses Foundation Announces Equity Awardees

- The American Nurses Foundation's "Reimagining Nursing Initiative" is a $15 million project designed to fund innovative, nurse-led programs that address key challenges in the field. The initiative focuses on three main areas: preparing practice-ready nurse graduates, integrating technology into nursing practice, and developing direct-reimbursement models for nursing care. - In Virginia, recent data shows a maternal mortality rate of 32.7 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2018 and 2022. Significant racial disparities persist, with Black women experiencing a maternal mortality rate of 43.9 per 100,000 live births compared to 26.3 for white women between 2017 and 2021. - As of July 1, 2025, a new Virginia law allows certified nurse-midwives and other advanced practice nurses to staff 24-hour on-call rosters for nursery care when a physician is unavailable. This change, enacted through House Bill 1904, is intended to help address staffing shortages, especially in rural areas, as 36% of Virginia's counties are considered "maternity care deserts." - The Virginia affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) successfully advocated for House Bill 1923, which was signed into law in May 2025. This legislation mandates that private insurance and Medicaid reimburse Licensed Certified Midwives (LCMs) and Licensed Midwives (LMs) at the same rate as Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) for the same services. - Despite legislative progress, many Virginia midwives face challenges with Medicaid reimbursement, including delays in billing until late in pregnancy, which can make it financially difficult for small practices to serve Medicaid beneficiaries. Advocates are pushing for a budget amendment to address these structural barriers and improve access to midwifery care. - The Virginia ACNM has announced that a "Midwives' Advocacy Day" will be held on February 4, 2026, in collaboration with the Virginia Midwives Alliance and the Virginia Birth Center Coalition. Their primary goals for the 2026 General Assembly session include building relationships with new legislators and ensuring the widespread implementation of the laws passed in 2025. - The American Academy of Nursing is advocating for federal legislation like the "Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act" and the "Midwives for MOMs Act." These bills aim to address the root causes of maternal mortality and morbidity and to increase the number of nurse-midwives from diverse backgrounds.