By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Senate has shelved a bill that would legalize midwifery.
It happened after State Senator Chuck Graham (D, Columbia) offered an amendment that would require midwives to be certified by the same board that certifies doctors.
The sponsor, Senator John Loudon (R, Chesterfield), says the amendment is part of an attempt to filibuster the bill.
"What they want is a board of doctors having 100% control over the practice of midwifery, which will guarantee no practice of midwifery," Loudon said.
But Graham denied that he's trying to kill the bill via filibuster.
"I've got one amendment that I've offered that's up for debate, and I'd like to get a vote on my amendment, and I'll have other amendments and we'll get votes on those (too)," Graham said.
Loudon says he's optimistic that the bill can still be passed before the end of the 2008 session next month.
Meanwhile, the Missouri Supreme Court has yet to decide whether to overturn a lower court ruling striking down language passed last year that legalized midwifery.