Baker County Commissioners Approve $350,000 to Help Fund Nurses for Birthing Center
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, July 28th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — Amid the ongoing saga of the pending closure of the St. Alphonsus Hospital birthing center, Baker County Commissioners have approved the allocation of more than $350,000 to help fund six federal nurses to help staff the center for at least six months or longer.
The commissioners met for a special session on Thursday, July 27 on the matter of the closure and to vote on the funding. The commissioners approved the funding 3-0 with the possibility of $150,000 more if needed.
The six nurses would come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HHS still has to approve the transfer of the nurses.
St. Alphonsus announced on Wednesday that the center will remain open an additional four weeks past the scheduled July 31 closure.
The hospital announced the closure in June, attributing the decision to a 60% decrease in deliveries, plummeting from 128 per year since the 2020 fiscal year to a projected 75 deliveries in 2023. The hospital also pointed to critical staffing challenges, intensified by recent staff resignations and operational changes.
During Thursday’s commissioner meeting, many in the Baker community voiced their support for the commissioners to use funds to keep the center open. Speakers included local health care officials, doctors, business leaders and young mothers.
“I’m elated for the support and the passion the community has to keep this center open,” said Commissioner Shane Alderson. “I’m also deeply thankful for the hard work of our partners who have helped us try and find solutions.”
One of those partners is U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, who has urged the HHS to help with the nursing shortage.
“Baker County’s deep commitment to protecting topnotch, local care for expectant parents is inspiring,” Wyden said. “I’m very encouraged by the steps county commissioners are taking to work with me and my staff on immediate solutions like this agenda item that would fund the travel and lodging costs for six nurses, and set the foundation for the longer-term work to ensure safe, stable and high-quality rural maternity care. I’m looking forward to working with the entire community and the commissioners in this ongoing example of the Oregon Way, where people come together to solve big problems.”
The funds the commissioners approved come from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund, which was given to Baker County as part of the federal COVID relief package.
The County now awaits approval from HHS for the transfer of the nurses.“We hope to get these nurses in to continue maternity care for our local mothers so we can get working on long-term goals for their care,” said Alderson. “We’ll continue charging forward to find solutions for Baker County.”
