On Wednesday, July 25, 2012, the Midwifery Joint Committee (MJC) met to re-address an emergency rule adopted by the Committee in June. The emergency rule allows Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) to practice without physician supervision following the “unexpected” termination of a collaborative practice agreement, pursuant to policy also adopted by the MJC (see Emergency Rule: Certified Nurse Midwives Permitted to Practice Without Physician Supervision, June 15, 2012).

Due to the approaching expiration date, the Committee recently reconvened to discuss the possibility of enacting a temporary rule that would permit its continued use when deemed necessary by the MJC. After a brief discussion, the Committee confirmed that the emergency rule currently in place will expire on August 31, with related policy being rescinded at that time.

The NCMS spoke against the permanent enactment of this rule at previous MJC meetings, citing a lack of legal authority for the MJC to enact rules that evade statutory requirements. At this time, the work of the NCMS advocacy team has proven effective and the emergency rule will not be extended beyond August 31.

Documents from the meeting can be found here: https://www.compassionatecarenc.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Emergency-Rule-and-Policy.pdf.