SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) today questioned the Medical Board of California regarding their authority over licensed midwives and medical school accreditation process during this morning’s Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Sunset Review.

“It’s our moral obligation to protect patients and improve health access,” said Senator Hurtado. “We will be unable to protect patients and improve their health access if we do not have a clear understanding of the Medical Board of California’s authority and the processes in place to license physicians and midwives.”

The Medical Board of California has had regulatory authority over licensed midwives since 1994. The Medical Board of California receives guidance on midwifery issues through a Midwifery Advisory Council that consists of licensed midwives, a physician and two non-physician public members.

The Joint Hearing of the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee meets to perform “sunset reviews” on the Medical Board of California every 4 years. The purpose of the “sunset review” is to evaluate the need for the continued existence of a program, board or an agency. This process allows the California State Legislature, the boards, and interested parties the ability to assess the efficiency, effectiveness and performance of the board and make recommendations for improvements. The Medical Board of California was last reviewed in 2016-2017.

Last month, Senator Hurtado raised questions regarding the Medical Board of California’s review and action procedures of provider complaints. The Senator is concerned with the transparency of the Medical Board, and wants to increase health access and ensure that patients are protected. For more, click here.

Media Contact: Michelle.Sherwood@sen.ca.gov

About Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Melissa Hurtado represents a new generation of Latina leaders as the youngest woman ever elected to the California State Senate and a product of immigrant parents. Senator Hurtado represents the 14th Senate District and focuses on rural community issues that often go unheard — access to clean air and water, food insecurity and poverty, inequities in environmental policies, agriculture and access to health care. In July 2020, she was appointed to the national Biden Latino Leadership Committee alongside former Labor Secretary and current Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis – the only two California Latinas on the Committee.

For more information, visit Senator Hurtado’s Website here or find her on Twitter at @Senator_Hurtado

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