Category: Care Coordination

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has scheduled a public hearing next month regarding Beverly (Mass.) Hospital’s plans to permanently close its freestanding birth center in September because of staffing shortages.

Many states with strong legal protections for abortion — such as California and Illinois — are preparing for a surge in patients whose home states have or are planning to ban the medical procedure.

A group of U.S. senators announced on June 27, 2022, that they would block the appointment of a commission that would review the closing of some Veterans Affairs hospitals. 

BHSH System, the 22-hospital organization formed by the February merger of Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spectrum Health with Southfield, Mich.-based Beaumont Health, said it has evolved its approach on abortion.

Hazel Crest, Ill.-based Advocate South Suburban Hospital is cutting labor and delivery services and investing $20 million in an inpatient behavioral health unit.

Tufts Medical Center in Boston is planning to transition physicians as it prepares to close inpatient services for children by the end of June, according to public radio station WBUR.

Lakeside Medical Center will close its baby-delivery unit because of a decline in births in recent years, The Palm Beach Post reported June 21.

Almost 35 percent of counties in the U.S. — or 1,094 — are maternity deserts, according to an interactive map by March of Dimes.

Several hospitals are scaling back services for a variety of reasons, including financial challenges and staffing issues. 

Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell urged billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong, MD, to reopen St. Vincent Medical Center to provide acute care for the homeless population, the Los Angeles Times reported June 14.