Bill allowing nurse-midwives to refer patients for pelvic floor therapy passes Pa. Senate, heads to governor’s desk
Rep. Gina H. Curry April 22, 2026 | 11:40 AM
HARRISBURG, April 22 – The Pennsylvania Senate today passed legislation by state Rep. Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware, that will make it easier for more women to access pelvic floor therapy. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.
House Bill 1251 would amend the Physical Therapy Practice Act to allow nurse-midwives to refer their patients for pelvic floor therapy, streamlining the process for their patients.
Under current law, only physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants can refer patients for pelvic floor therapy, a type of physical therapy that addresses pelvic floor issues including pain, incontinence, and abdominal muscle problems common after pregnancy and childbirth. This means patients who choose to use a nurse-midwife for obstetric care first need to see one of these approved practitioners before they can get a referral for pelvic floor therapy.
“Midwives provide competent, compassionate care to thousands of women each year, and for too long we’ve overcomplicated certain processes by not recognizing their profession as equal to other pre- and post-natal providers,” said Curry. “When a woman chooses to work with a midwife on her birth journey, she should have the same ease of access to related wellness care as a woman who chooses a doctor.”
According to Curry, pelvic floor therapy can allow women experiencing pelvic heaviness, pelvic pain, urinary leakage, and organ prolapse to improve their condition with specialized exercises so that they can avoid invasive surgeries.
The bill is half of a two-part bill package focused on the role of midwives during pregnancy and childbirth, and is part of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus’ MOMNIBUS 2.0 comprehensive legislative package confronting Black maternal mortality and morbidity in Pennsylvania.
“I am deeply grateful to my peers in the legislature for seeing the value in this bill, and to all of the grassroots organizations that have been advocating for the highest level of care for all mothers on their birthing journey,” said Curry. “We’ve met this goal because of all of them.”
The American Midwifery Certification Board reports that in 2025, 590 certified nurse midwives work in Pennsylvania; current research shows that anywhere from 25% to 50% of women will experience a pelvic floor issue in the 10 years after giving birth.
House Bill 1251 passed the Senate 45-2, after passing the House in December.