About a hundred people rallied outside Chestnut Hill Hospital amid rumors the facility may shut down its maternity ward in the name of economy. The hospital counters that it’s only conducting a review of the program. 

A top administrator at the hospital in charge of obstetrics is retiring and so the board is reviewing the program to decide where to go next. But in these days of skyrocketing malpractice insurance rates, it’s no easy call.

Bette Begleiter is with the Maternity Care Coalition:

“If Chestnut Hill Hospital decides to close its’ OB services, and we really hope they won’t, this will make it the 15th hospital in this region to close down their OB services.”

Hospital officials say their review will include the sentiments of the community and is more than just a bottom line decision. An answer could come within a month or two but nothing is set in stone.

Learn about the childbirth crisis through our Maternity Care in Southeastern PA pages, or visit our Maternity Services Advocacy pages to find out how communities are advocating and how you can take action!

MCC's full Childbirth at a Crossroads report can be viewed here.