July 11, 2023 3:00 a.m. 

On Monday, Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley urged St. Alphonsus Health Systems to continue maternal care at the Baker City hospital to let the Eastern Oregon community work with federal and state agencies to develop alternative solutions.

A joint release said St. Alphonsus Hospital announced in June its intent to cease maternity care and birthing services starting July 30th.

The Senators wrote, “We have heard from doctors and nurses, parents and expectant parents, and large Baker City-based employers about the importance of having maternity care and birthing services based in Baker City for the resident’s safety and wellbeing”. Wyden and Merkley said, “We urge you to continue labor and delivery services for an additional six months while the community works to fill the substantial gap in local maternity care. In the meantime, we have identified several resources to help you keep your maternity center open”.

The release said in their letter, the senators offered federal, state, and local nursing resources to help St. Alphonsus continue to provide safe and stable maternity care beyond July 30th. This included gathering financial support from large employers like Beef Northwest Feeders, streamlining licensing for RNs and deploying nurses from the federal United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

The original hospital announcement is linked: https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/saint-alphonsus-to-close-birth-center-at-baker-city-hospital-july-30/article_1e2