Ontario’s St. Alphonsus Medical Center to receive maternity program funding

ONTARIO — St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Ontario is one of 21 rural Oregon hospitals slated to receive state funding in support of their maternity programs.

According to a news release from the Oregon Health Authority, “Governor Tina Kotek, Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and the Hospital Association of Oregon, announced [Thursday] 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 St. Alphonsus in Ontario 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 release states, “In counties such as Malheur County — where more than half of residents are enrolled in OHP — improvements to maternity services often benefit the broader community. While activities like outreach may focus specifically on OHP members, other investments, such as equipment upgrades or additional staffing, enhance care for all patients.”

The directed payment is part of a one-time $25 million investment authorized by the Legislature in House Bill 5025 (2025).

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Elkhorn Media Group