WARREN – The Trumbull County Board of Commissioners has filed a complaint with the Ohio Department of Medicaid following Mercy Health’s announcement that it is closing the labor and delivery unit at Saint Joseph Hospital.
Commissioners said in the complaint that by closing the maternity ward, Mercy is “denying access to OB/GYN care to [Trumbull County’s] Medicaid recipients.”
“By closing the only OB/GYN services in Trumbull County at the St. Joseph’s Hospital, Mercy Health is creating an obstetric desert that directly mitigates their Mission Statement, leaving many Trumbull County Medicaid recipients with no immediate access to care,” the complaint reads.
Commissioners said that they already contacted Mercy and demanded they halt the closure. Now, they’re calling on the Department of Medicaid to do the same.
Additionally, the commissioners asked Mercy Health to provide the Board with several facts, including:
The number of Trumbull County residents who utilize labor and delivery services at Saint Joseph Hospital
The projected number of Trumbull County patients who would need to travel to Boardman for these services
The anticipated increase and travel time for patients needing these services
How Mercy evaluated the impact on emergency obstetric situations where time is critical
The capacity at Saint Elizabeth Boardman to accommodate additional patients, particularly during periods of peak demand
The specific staffing, physician, nursing, bed and emergency department resources that will be added to accommodate the increased volume
The anticipated impact on EMS response times
What contingency plans are in place when Saint Elizabeth Boardman reaches capacity or cannot accept an emergency patient
How Mercy evaluated the impact of this decision on Trumbull County’s existing healthcare structure.
What specific measures Mercy Health will implement to ensure Trumbull County residents continue to have timely, equitable access to obstetric care.
RELATED COVERAGE:
St. Joseph Hospital to close its labor and delivery unit in December
Community reacts to Warren’s St. Joseph Hospital cutting labor and delivery unit
More local, state leaders condemn planned closure of Saint Joseph labor & delivery unit
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