Leominster maternity unit vital, state says
Agency’s letter comes amid proposed closure
LEOMINSTER - The maternity unit at the UMass Memorial Health hospital in Leominster is an essential service, according to state public health officials, representing the latest development in the health care system's plan to close the unit Sept. 23.
In its Monday letter to Husch Blackwell, the Boston law firm representing UMass Memorial, the state Department of Public Health said, “As a result of its review, the Department has made a finding that the services provided by the Hospital are in fact necessary for preserving access and health status within the Hospital's service area.”
UMass Memorial did not respond to an interview request. It did release a statement: “UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital is working with the Department of Public Health to detail our ongoing plans to maintain access to essential maternity inpatient services across North Central Massachusetts following the proposed closure of the labor and delivery unit at our Leominster campus.
“Throughout this process, we remain committed to thoughtfully and equitably addressing the needs of all birthing people in our service areas.”
The Massachusetts Nurses Association opposes the planned closure and the association believes it may not be a done deal, despite the state having no legal authority to stop it. Association spokesman David Schildmeier said Wednesday morning that he has never seen a letter like the one this week from the DPH because it's extensive in its request that UMass verify its reasons for closure.
“DPH is suspect of what it heard from UMass,” said Schildmeier, a reference to last month's public hearing when UMass leadership and the community provided testimony on the planned closure. “This is not a pro forma response. The DPH is very suspect of what UMass provided.”
Another point that Schildmeier feels puts pressure on UMass to keep the unit open is last month's DPH report that maternal deaths nearly dou
bled in Massachusetts from 2011 to 2020, with Black non-Hispanic women most impacted among all races and ethnicities. That report shines a spotlight on community hospitals like Leominster because they serve large populations of low-income patients and residents of color.
Activists, lawmakers respond to DPH decision
“The DPH has made clear that our birthing center is vital to protecting our community, and especially the most vulnerable members of our poor and BIPOC communities, who will stand to suffer the most if this center closes,” said Irene Hernandez, co-chair of Community United to Save Our Birthing Center, a coalition formed to fight the closure.
“DPH has confirmed what we already know: Two Gateway cities need this labor and delivery unit,” said state Sen. John Cronin, D-Lunenburg. “We hope this determination is a wakeup call to UMass Memorial and that Dr. Dickson engages with the state so we can partner to keep this unit open.”
Dr. Eric Dickson is president and chief executive officer at UMass Memorial Health.
Planned hospital service closures follow a strict state guideline and UMass is required to submit a plan within 15 days that assures access to maternity inpatient services for the residents served by the Leominster hospital. The DPH then determines if the plan is adequate.
The plan required of UMass must address several questions, per the DPH letter, including:
● How will UMass guarantee alternative maternity services in the Leominster/Fitchburg
area that will meet the void created by the closure, especially for low-income patients and people of color?
● What transportation options exist for patients to get to those sites, how long will those trips take and what data did UMass use to support its conclusions?
● What steps did UMass take to recruit staff before it decided to close the unit?
Reasons for closure met with skepticism
UMass Memorial cited falling birth rates and a staff shortage as reasons for ending inpatient maternity services in Leominster.
In filings with the state, UMass reported 511 births in fiscal 2022, compared to 762 in fiscal 2011. Staff and services to be cut include 19 licensed antepartum, labor and delivery, and postpartum beds; 21 well-infant nursery beds; and an operating room.
Lawmakers, nurses and community activists are skeptical about those stated reasons. They believe the actual number of yearly births is roughly 600, and the total would be higher if UMass didn’t funnel patients to Worcester to cut costs.
They also believe the decision is solely driven by finances. Amy Gagnon, a nurse who works in the Leominster maternity unit, previously told the Telegram & Gazette that many of the Leominster unit’s patients are low-income, and their insurance is covered by MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid insurance program. Low MassHealth reimbursements to the hospital coupled with the expense of running a maternity unit 24/7 mean many patients are directed to Worcester, where maternity expenses can be consolidated.
Dr. Erin Kate Dooley, an obstetrician in private practice in Leominster, echoed those sentiments.
UMass Memorial: Tried its best to keep the unit open
During last month’s public hearing, UMass leadership said it tried its best to keep the unit open by making investments in its operations over the past five years including staff recruitment, equipment and training. Ultimately, they said, UMass Memorial’s decision to close the unit was best for the overall level of health care services provided in North Central Worcester County.
Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter: @henrytelegram.