Article Summary –
The Western Wisconsin Health hospital in Baldwin, Wisconsin, is expanding its labor and delivery unit despite many rural hospitals across the US closing such units due to financial constraints. This year, the hospital expects to deliver around 300 babies, some of whom are traveling up to 80 miles for their care. The expansion, which will cost $7 million and take an estimated 31 years to recoup, is being supported by federal funding and other community grants, and is viewed as a necessary service for the community despite not being financially profitable.
Increasing Births at Rural Wisconsin Hospital Amidst Nationwide Trend of Obstetric Unit Closures
Western Wisconsin Health (WWH) hospital in Baldwin, Wisconsin, is bucking the trend of rural obstetric unit closures, with the number of births expected to triple to 300 this year compared to five years ago. Furthermore, patients are traveling over 80 miles to give birth at WWH, highlighting the growing crisis in rural obstetrical care.
Nearly half of rural hospitals in the United States stopped delivering babies in 2020, with at least 89 rural obstetric units closing between 2015 and 2019, according to the American Hospital Association. In Wisconsin, the situation is no different. In the last two years, five hospitals in northwest Wisconsin have closed their labor and delivery units, according to WWH CEO Eilidh Pederson.
Despite this disturbing trend, WWH hospital has expanded its labor and delivery unit with federal funding assistance. “While others chose to close, we chose to double down on our investment,” said Pederson, emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to providing essential maternity care.
Why Obstetrical Units are Closing and WWH’s Counter-Measure
The prevalent closure of obstetrical units is due to financial stressors; the specialized staff requisite for these units demand a high cost. Medicaid reimbursement rates are also lower for OB-GYNs, making it even less economically viable for hospitals, especially since Medicaid covers nearly half of all US births.
“We do this because it’s the right thing to do,” Pederson said regarding the hospital expansion. WWH’s hospital expansion, costing $7 million, will extend from two to five beds, and is expected to recover costs in 31 years. The hospital has raised $3.6 million for the expansion, including $1 million from the latest federal spending package, secured by Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, and the rest is being covered by the hospital.
Anticipating the Impact of the Expansion
When the new labor and delivery unit opens in early June, it will have an increased capacity to deliver around 450 babies a year. The hospital has already seen a growth in births by close to 100 in the last three weeks, with many new patients traveling from areas where hospitals and clinics are closing.
WWH has thrived by being efficient; for example, it partners with nearby Hudson Hospital and the Minnesota Children’s Hospital for coverage and telehealth assistance. The federal funding is seen as the start of a new partnership and a new model for investing in rural maternal health.
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