September 15, 2021 | Press Release

The Energy & Commerce Committee advanced critical investments from the Momnibus, including funding to address social determinants of maternal health, grow and diversify the perinatal workforce, and support community-based organizations working to promote maternal health equity

WASHINGTON—Today, Black Maternal Health Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12) applauded the Energy and Commerce Committee for advancing critical investments from the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (H.R. 959/S. 346) in the Committee’s markup of the Build Back Better Act. The legislation now goes to the House Committee on Budget before heading to the full House of Representatives.  

“Today’s Energy and Commerce Committee markup was a historic milestone in the mission to save moms’ lives and end maternal health disparities in the United States,” said Rep. Underwood, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “I’m thankful for the leadership of Chairman Pallone in advancing the Momnibus through the Committee’s Build Back Better Act legislation, including critical resources for community-based organizations, funding to address social determinants of maternal health, and investments in the perinatal workforce. We are closer than ever to making the transformative change that is needed to achieve true birth equity in the America and I am grateful for the support of the Biden-Harris Administration, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, and maternal health champions in the House and Senate as we work together to get this legislation passed and signed into law.”  

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ACOG | News Release Update

“As the leading organizations representing experts in maternal care and public health professionals that advocate and educate about vaccination, we strongly urge all pregnant individuals—along with recently pregnant, planning to become pregnant, lactating and other eligible individuals—to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Pregnant individuals are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection, including death. With cases rising as a result of the Delta variant, the best way for pregnant individuals to protect themselves against the potential harm from COVID-19 infection is to be vaccinated.

“Maternal care experts want the best outcomes for their patients, and that means both a healthy parent and a healthy baby. Data from tens of thousands of reporting individuals have shown that the COVID-19 vaccine is both safe and effective when administered during pregnancy. The same data have been equally reassuring when it comes to infants born to vaccinated individuals. Moreover, COVID-19 vaccines have no impact on fertility.

“Pregnant individuals and those planning to become pregnant should feel confident in choosing vaccination to protect themselves, their infants, their families, and their communities.”

Also signed by: the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, the Association of PAs in Obstetrics & Gynecology, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.

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Today, Congress can take a historic step forward in ending our nation's maternal health crisis by advancing the #Momnibus Act investments included in the Energy Commerce #BuildBackBetter Act legislation. Our moms don't have any time to wait!

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Journal of American Academy of Physician Assistants

Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines - An Update
Shami, Sarah DMSc, MSPAS, PA-C; Coombs, Jennifer PhD, PA-C, MPAS

Abstract

Cervical cancer screening practices in the United States have been inefficient, with variable screening rates. Some women are screened too frequently, overmanaged, lost to follow-up, or are at risk and should be screened but are not. Timely screening, identification, and management of abnormal cervical cells is vital in order to prevent progression to cervical cancer. Educating, counseling, screening, and offering the human papillomavirus vaccine continue to be the primary methods of cervical cancer prevention practices. Guidelines and primary screening methods have been updated because of supporting evidence, and clinicians must stay up-to-date in order to provide effective patient care.

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Women's Health In Focus at NIH Quarterly: Gynecological Cancer Research

This issue of In Focus features NIH’s research efforts to improve the understanding, screening, prevention, and treatment of cervical, endometrial, ovarian, and other gynecological cancers. Unfortunately, gynecological malignancies often become “the forgotten women’s cancers,” perhaps because breast cancers affect more women in the United States. Nonetheless, gynecological cancers constitute important concerns for public health. 

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PAs: Obstetrics and Gynecology Needs You!

PAs Work in all Primary Care, Specialty, and Subspecialty Areas

By Melissa Rodriguez, DMSc, PA-C

Melissa Rodriguez, DMSc, PA-C, president of the Association of Physician Assistants in OB-GYN, responds to questions regarding PA practice in obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN).

Q: Do PAs practice in OB-GYN?
A: Yes, we do—currently, fewer than 2% of all PAs practice in the field of OB-GYN and its subspecialties. PAs also practice women’s health in other specialties such as family medicine.

Q: Are PAs adequately trained to practice in OB-GYN?
A: Absolutely! PA training provides a generalist foundation for their students, which includes mandatory training in obstetrics and gynecology. PA students take more than 75 hours in pharmacology, 175 hours in behavioral sciences, more than 400 hours in basic sciences, and 580 hours in clinical medicine. Training specific to OB-GYN includes hours of didactic training in benign and complex topics of women’s health; clinical lab experience with live models, simulation, and breast and pelvic trainers; and on average, 162 hours of hands-on clinical experience during the women’s health rotation. Most clinical rotation sites provide opportunities to participate in vaginal deliveries, cesarean sections, and gynecological surgeries. Understandably, there is a shortage in OB-GYN rotation sites which means that not all experiences are complete. The need for PAs in OB-GYN has exacerbated this lack of preceptors for PA students, and the competition with medical students and nursing students is intense.

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APAOG proudly provides this infographic as a conversation starter with healthcare leadership. We want to showcase our education and abilities in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. We encourage you to make connections and share our stories. Our grassroots effort is what will make the difference in numbers. 

Click here to view and save the infographic!

The sexual health certificate program will expand the Emory University’s campus-wide initiative “One Emory: Engaged for Impact” as Emory is recognized around the world as a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. This program will expand the University’s teaching and research base by integrating a focus on health, sexual health, law, ethics, wellness, social and economic development, as well as targeting groups of individuals who are working and caring for marginalized communities.

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Thank you for being a valued member of the Association of Physician Assistants in Obstetrics and Gynecology. It is important to the APAOG Leadership to collect feedback from our members to evaluate and improve APAOG membership and continue to offer many benefits to our members.

Please watch your email for the member survey link and take 2-3 minutes to provide feedback in the Annual Membership Survey.

Your feedback is important! Thank you.

PAEA | Grassroots Action Network

On May 25, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted unanimously to advance the Rural Maternal and Obstetric Modernization of Services (MOMS) Act to the full Senate for consideration. This bipartisan, PAEA-endorsed bill seeks to holistically improve access to obstetrics care in rural areas by supporting training opportunities in underserved settings, among other provisions. We are asking for your help to ensure that this bill is prioritized for consideration on the Senate floor.

If enacted, the Rural MOMS Act would authorize $5 million annually through fiscal year 2025 to support OB/GYN clinical rotations for PA and other health professions students in rural areas with the ultimate aim of creating a sustained pipeline of graduates to these settings. According to PAEA’s most recent Rapid Response Report, more than 73% of PA programs are reporting that it is now either harder or much harder to secure women’s health/gynecology/obstetrics rotations than before the emergence of COVID-19, making this new investment particularly timely as PA education continues to recover from the pandemic.

Please contact your senators today and urge them to cosponsor and vote in favor of the Rural MOMS Act. As always, thank you for your advocacy and leadership on behalf of PA education.

Click here!