The State - News from April 10, 1986

Tuolumne County supervisors gave permission to hire a midwife for pregnant women on Medi-Cal because doctors are refusing to accept new patients under the program. About 120 women a year would be served by the nurse-midwife who will see women at Tuolumne General Hospital and attend deliveries at Sierra Hospital. The last of three Sonora doctors taking Medi-Cal patients withdrew from the program in January, citing falling reimbursement and delays in payments. The average private patient pays $1,070 during pregnancy, said Claire Mills, a nurse practitioner working with her husband, Dr. Christopher Mills. But she said Medi-Cal pays $494 for 10 months of care including delivery. A midwife will be paid up to $119 for prenatal care and $180 for delivery.