The ongoing maternity care crisis has made its way into 2024. While many hospitals and health systems were forced to cut maternity and obstetric services last year, more have announced cuts or closures in the last two weeks.
Here are four birthing service cuts and closures that Becker's has reported on since Dec. 28:
1. New York City-based NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, part of NewYork-Presbyterian health system, is terminating its midwifery services March 3. The service closure, which the New York State Nurses Association asked the hospital to "immediately reconsider," is part of the hospital's plan to evolve its perinatal care model and care team, a spokesperson for NewYork-Presbyterian told Becker's.
2. Citing a declined birth rate, Troy, Ohio-based Upper Valley Medical Center, part of Dayton, Ohio-based Premier Health, is closing its labor and delivery unit on Feb. 29.
3. Blacksburg, Va.-based LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, part of HCA Virginia Health System, will temporarily shutter its obstetrics services, effective April 1. The hospital cited recruitment challenges for full-time OB-GYNs as a reason for the temporary services closure.
4. The maternity ward at Smithtown, N.Y.-based St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, part of Long Island, N.Y.-based Catholic Health, is shutting down Feb. 1. The hospital's voluntary OB-GYN physicians will not be able to provide maternity care at the hospital as part of their new contract.