Colusa (Calif.) Regional Medical Center will stop delivering babies April 1, according to an Appeal-Democrat report.
Here are four things to know about the decision.
1. The hospital said due to reduced reimbursements to the hospital, and decreasing numbers of deliveries, contributed to the decision. "Rural communities have seen their hospitals go away; it's really a crisis throughout the country," said Walt Beck, CEO of CRMC, according to the report. "The Affordable Care Act had an effect, but it has been going on longer than that. Increased regulations, unfunded mandates, the pressures have always been there but it just got greater and greater."
2. Mr. Beck told the Appeal-Democrat eliminating the birthing center will help the hospital continue to improve its other services and ensure its long-term survival.
3. The move overall is expected to save the hospital $1 million annually.
4. Some labor and delivery staff members at CRMC will be cut and others moved to other services at the hospital, according to the report.
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