On January 21, 2025 HB 5636 was signed into law by Governor Whitmer.

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The Birth Center Bill is a community-based initiative. Michigan State of Birth Justice is a state-wide coalition that includes members in rural, suburban, and urban communities. Forming the Birth Center Bill has been a collaborative process from the start, which included: Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and Licensed Midwives (LMs); the presidents of both midwifery Associations The Michigan Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and Michigan Midwives Association; birth center owners; and diverse community birth stakeholders from all parts of the state.

The Birth Center Bill was created to address the needs of families and midwives in Michigan who want more access to birth centers. The fact that 30% of counties in MI are rural and that there are obstetric deserts throughout the state were driving forces behind this bill.

The states with the most birth centers are also states that have had birth center licensure the longest and have Medicaid reimbursement for birth centers. This bill aims to decrease hardships by increasing families’ access to midwifery care - especially those most impacted by perinatal health inequities. Increased access for families also supports birth center sustainability.

Medicaid requires birth centers to be licensed for reimbursement. This bill will help birth centers open and stay open.