The Kentucky Hospital Association's recommended revision to 902 KAR 20:016 creates alignment with a recommendation by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Dolores "Dee" Politio, CNM, American College of Nurse Midwives – Kentucky Chapter Vice-President testified at the July 14, 2022 Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee in support of the change.
The CMS recommendation is that hospitals allow CNMs to admit their patients to the hospital and provide their care, as long as it is within the CNM's scope of practice. The agency's recommendation is presented as a "statement of guidance" which is permissive therefore the regulation would also be permissive.
Hospitals now have the opportunity to decide on a case-by-case basis if the CNM meets the requirements for the admitting privilege to be be granted by the hospital's medical staff.
As the committee had a lengthy agenda, Polito kept her remarks brief but went to the heart of the matter -- ensuring good patient care.
"We firmly believe that CNMs are qualified to have this responsibility in Kentucky, as they have shown in other states. CNMs are dedicated to providing quality and safe care of their patients, utilizing collaboration and consultation whenever it is indicated. Providing patients with continuity of care is also an important aspect of good patient care and would be enhanced by the language revision in the regulation."
The ARRS committee moved the regulation forward without debate or question.
After consideration on August 25, 2022 at a joint meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Health and Welfare and the House Standing Committee on Health and Family Services the proposed regulation change became effective.
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08.25.2022 Agenda -- Joint Meeting Senate Standing Committee on Health and Welfare and House Standing Committee off Health and Family Services
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