Amish support lay midwives

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Pennsylvania's Amish are worried the state will crack down on lay midwifery after a popular practitioner was charged in the death of an infant.

Diane Goslin, who has delivered more than 5,000 babies, is awaiting a decision by the state medical board on charges of practicing without a license in a delivery two years ago, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

While Pennsylvania law does not explicitly prohibit the practice of lay midwifery, the state argues it is dangerous and only midwives who have nursing degrees can be licensed.

Because the Amish and other plain people traditionally do not have health insurance, many rely on lay midwives to deliver their babies, the newspaper said.

The fear of losing that ability brought some 200 protesters to a rally in Harrisburg, Pa., late last month.