The Washington Department of Health is considering legal action against Astria Toppenish (Wash.) Hospital, as the state believes the hospital's closure of its maternity ward is a violation of the hospital's certificate of need, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported Feb. 2.
When the hospital requested a certificate of need in 2017, the state included a stipulation that the hospital had to provide labor and maternity services until 2027.
Astria CEO Brian Gibbons wrote a letter of intent to request a change to the certificate.
"An applicant should apply to have their certificate amended if they feel a condition needs to be changed prior to making that change without approval," a Washington DOH official told the Yakima Herald-Republic. "Failing to do so subjects the applicant to potential enforcement action."