BabyLiveAdvice, INC reposted this
Californians have continued to lose access to labor and delivery services. This year, four hospitals have shut down their maternity wards, with another four slated to close by November. That’s nearly on par with the 10 maternity ward closures in 2023. Hospital administrators blame service cuts on high costs, labor shortages and declining birth rates. But in some instances, CalMatters found highly profitable hospitals closing maternity wards that delivered more than 700 babies annually, a number that research suggests is well above the threshold for safety and financial viability. The trend has drawn attention from lawmakers and health advocates who have asked Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign legislation intended to help the state intervene when a hospital is struggling to keep labor and delivery open. They also want to force hospitals to be more transparent about their finances, #staffing levels and how closures would impact communities. Innovative solutions can reduce hospitals need for closures. Such as hybrid staffing solutions offered by BabyLiveAdvice, INC and postpartum virtual programs. Yet investment in such services is rarely done, as maternity wards are never high on the CEO/CFO lists. #hospital #california #legistlation #maternitycare #access #innovation #telehealth #staffing