Website: https://www.savenewportbirthingcenter.org/home
Stay caught up on Substack: https://savenewportbirthingcenter.substack.com/p/your-voice-matters?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
What is happening right now?
The birthing center at Newport Hospital is under active review by Brown Health due to concerns about staffing, declining birth volume, and financial sustainability. No final decision has been announced, but closure or restructuring is being considered.
Why is this important?
The birthing center is an essential healthcare service for Newport County families. Without it, patients would need to travel off-island—primarily to Providence—for labor and delivery, increasing health risks, stress, and barriers to care and increased costs to families and municipal emergency transportation services.
Where does the decision stand?
The process is ongoing and not finalized
Brown Health has conducted internal evaluations
A Community Advisory Panel (CAP) has met to assess options
No public plan or timeline has been clearly shared
Who is making the decision?
Brown Health leadership (parent system)
Newport Hospital leadership
They are receiving input from:
Community Advisory Panel (CAP)
Medical staff and providers
What is the Community Advisory Panel (CAP)?
A group convened last Fall and was appointed by Brown Health to:
Review safety and quality
Assess staffing and patient volume
Recommend next steps
There is currently limited public transparency about its findings or recommendations.
When will a decision be made?
No clear public timeline has been provided
A decision could come within the next several weeks or months
Community leaders are calling for transparency and public input before any final decision
What happens if the birthing center closes?
All deliveries shift off-island (likely to Providence)
Significantly longer travel times during labor, disproportionately impacting low-income families and families with limited transportation.
Increased strain on regional hospitals
Potential negative impacts on maternal and infant health
Heightened risks for Black, Latino, and Native American residents already facing structural barriers to care and disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes
Loss of a critical local healthcare service
What is the Birthing Center Coalition asking for now?
A clear, public plan and transparent timeline for the decision process
Transparency in data and decision-making
A commitment to maintaining accessible, local maternal care access
Meaningful engagement of impacted community members in decision-making.
Exploration of solutions to sustain services, including:
Workforce investments
Regional partnerships
State and philanthropic support
What role can the State of Rhode Island play?
Provide targeted funding or incentives
Require transparency and impact analysis
Support the maternal healthcare workforce
Recognize maternal care as an essential regional service
What can you do right now?
Act Now to have your voice heard
You can take action to support keeping the birthing center open
Send an email to:
John Fernandez, President of Brown Health, John.Fernandez@brownhealth.org
Tenny Thomas, President of Newport Hospital, TThomas6@brownhealth.org
In your message:
Ask them to keep the Newport Hospital birthing center open
Urge them to explore all options for sustainability
Encourage investment in building a 5-star, high-quality birthing center in Newport County
Share why local access to maternal care matters to you and your family
Ask for public meetings on the decision process now
Bottom Line
No final decision has been made.
The coming weeks and months are critical to ensure Newport County families continue to have safe and local access to essential maternal care.
Next Steps:
Mark your calendar: Lobby Day at the RI State House
Thursday, April 9, 3:00
More information in our next newsletter on Substack: https://savenewportbirthingcenter.substack.com/p/your-voice-matters?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email