BMHD in John Day to receive maternity services funding from the state
By Logan Bagett on Thursday, May 28th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY – The Blue Mountain Hospital District (BMHD) will be receiving funding from the state to support its maternity services. According to a release from the Oregon Health Authority, “Governor Tina Kotek, Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and the Hospital Association of Oregon, announced today that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Oregon’s proposed state directed payment to strengthen and stabilize maternity care services in rural communities. By matching state funding secured by Governor Kotek, these approved federal funds will result in a total investment of up to $37.5 million for 21 rural hospitals that provide maternity services for some of Oregon’s most remote communities. For rural hospitals, many of which will navigate reductions in Medicaid funding due to H.R. 1, these payments will help provide additional staffing and essential medical equipment, sustain and create good paying jobs and invest in strategies that improve overall quality of care of maternity services, such as supporting community outreach to pregnant Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members.”
The amount BMHD will receive was not specified in the news release. The OHA is working with coordinated care organizations and rural hospitals to coordinate a payment schedule.
The news release states, “The investments are expected to improve access to prenatal and postpartum care, reduce preventable complications, and promote more equitable maternal health outcomes across rural Oregon.”
