Newport officials push to keep endangered hospital birthing center open

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — It was standing room only in Newport, and a standing ovation for those and other comments in a notable show of support for keeping the Newport Hospital birthing center open.

City councilors held an emergency meeting Tuesday night with that goal as the only topic on their agenda.

Within a few short weeks, brown health will make the life-changing decision about whether to close the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital.

Since opening in 1995, the birthing center has been called a cornerstone of community healthcare and a critical piece of the community’s history, serving generations of Rhode Islanders.

40-year employee Art Grimes, was one of many who shared a similar sentiment during Wednesday’s emergency meeting, with women on the council and in the community emphasizing the toll it could take on expectant mothers.

The Newport City Council unanimously supported a non-binding resolution to keep the center open.

We reached out to Brown Health following the resolution. A spokesperson said in a statement:

We are facing a challenging fiscal environment and are navigating rising operational costs and uncertain public funding. As part of our annual budget process, we are currently considering difficult decisions across Brown University Health to stabilize our financial position for a sustainable healthcare system.

Council members vowed to do what’s within in their power to keep the vital community asset operational.

The decision is expected within the next few weeks, before Brown Heath finalizes the budget.

Their fiscal year ends in September.

Newport Hospital’s birthing center received a strong show of support from the public and the city council amid threats to close it.