Morrisville, Vt.-based Copley Hospital plans to close its birthing center after its board voted June 17 to shutter it and transition to a regional care model.
“As stewards of limited healthcare resources, we must make decisions that ensure access to high-quality, essential care for the greatest number of people,” the hospital said in a June 20 news release shared with Becker’s. “This is not just about the present time — it’s about securing the long-term sustainability of Copley Hospital.”
The release also pointed to low birth rates in the state and limited resources, which have reached a “critical point.” The hospital is losing between $15,000 to $30,000 annually per birth, which has become “greater than can be managed.”
The hospital is developing a plan to transition care for birthing families to a regional model, ensuring choices for families seeking maternity care, the release said. It will also keep its Copley Women’s Center open to provide screenings and annual visits, menopause care, gynecological surgery, contraceptives and family planning. Prenatal and postpartum care, along with existing gynecological services, will be maintained at the hospital.
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