Newport Hospital's Birthing Center Stays Open—For Now

Newport Hospital's Birthing Center to Stay Open, But Long-Term Future Uncertain

Newport Hospital’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center will remain open for the upcoming fiscal year, but its long-term future is still under review. Brown University Health, which oversees the hospital, has not made a definitive commitment to the center’s continued operation beyond this period.

In a memo released on Tuesday, July 29, Brown Health CEO John Fernandez outlined the decision, stating that while the facility is included in the FY26 budget and will not close immediately, a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted over the next year. This process will involve forming a task force to assess labor and delivery services at Newport Hospital.

“We are committed to providing first-class services at Newport Hospital,” Fernandez said. “The task force will evaluate quality, safety, access, finances, operations, and the community and statewide impact of these services. Input from community leaders, donors, nurses, physicians, and others will be essential. Recruiting OB/GYNs remains a major challenge, and sustaining a strong program depends on both clinical expertise and adequate patient volume.”

Community Reaction to the Decision

The announcement was met with mixed reactions from local officials and community members. A week prior, the Aquidneck Island legislative delegation had sent a letter to Brown Health leadership urging them to keep the birthing center open. State Representative Lauren Carson welcomed the news, emphasizing the importance of the center for families in the area.

“The Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center is a critically important public health resource for our constituents,” Carson said. “It provides not only birthing services but also outstanding pre- and postnatal care. The prospect of families having to travel 40 minutes or more off-island for these services was extremely alarming. We are grateful for the commitment to keep the center open next year.”

Attorney General Peter Neronha also praised the decision, acknowledging the financial challenges faced by Brown Health and other hospitals. He called for greater investment in the healthcare system to prevent similar difficult decisions in the future.

Smaller Victories for Other Facilities

In addition to the birthing center, two other facilities previously considered for closure have been spared. Gateway Healthcare, the state’s largest nonprofit behavioral care provider, and the Samuels Sinclair Dental Center, which serves children and individuals with special needs, will remain operational.

Both facilities have long histories of providing critical services in Rhode Island. Advocates had warned that closing them would have had severe consequences for vulnerable populations. The memo stated that the Samuels Sinclair Dental Center will focus on improving operations and increasing philanthropy to offset financial losses, while Gateway Healthcare will pursue greater operational efficiencies.

Ongoing Challenges and Financial Pressures

Despite these positive developments, Brown Health continues to face significant financial challenges. The health system aims to operate at a 3% margin, but it has struggled to maintain profitability for the past decade. Rising costs for pharmaceuticals, supplies, equipment, and labor have placed additional strain on the organization.

In the past two years, Brown Health lost nearly $138 million due to Medicaid under-reimbursements. While the state provided $23 million in support, it fell short of the $270 million requested by hospitals across the state.

Other programs, such as state contracts for prisons and clinics, will continue for the coming year. A building project to renovate Rhode Island Hospital will move forward after revisions. However, some changes are expected, including adjustments to inpatient adult psychiatry services at Rhode Island Hospital.

Looking Ahead

Fernandez emphasized the need for urgent action to address underfunding in the healthcare system. If the current financial pressures are not resolved within the next one to two years, further reductions in patient services may be necessary.

“This underfunding is unacceptable to us at Brown Health, and we are determined to avoid it,” he wrote.

As the situation develops, the community remains vigilant, aware that the battle to secure essential healthcare services is far from over. Local leaders and residents continue to advocate for the long-term sustainability of the birthing center and other critical facilities.