Newport rep urges hearing on endangered city hospital birthing center

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — As Newport Hospital mulls over cost-cutting measures to keep it afloat, one Rhode Island representative has written Brown University Health to push back on one proposal.

Representative Lauren Carson, who represents Newport, wrote in favor of keeping the Noreen Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital.

The letter, co-signed by four other area representatives, closes with a request for a public hearing in August on Aquidneck Island, so Brown University Health can hear from residents about the importance of the letter.

Last week, Brown responded to a Newport City Council resolution backing the birthing center, saying they appreciated the concern, but will announce a decision at a later date.