Seeking independent practicesNurse practitioners, midwives ask end to pacts with doctors By CATHLEEN F. CROWLEY, Staff writer First published: Saturday, June 12, 2010 ALBANY - Midwives and nurse practitioners in New York are trying to break free of formal ties to physicians. Both groups of have bills before legislators that would remove the legal requirement that they have written practice agreements with a doctor. "The piece of paper doesn't mean anything because we are going to collaborate with the person who is the most appropriate (for the medical situation)," said Laura Sheperis, president of the New York State Association of...