Trumbull CountyTuesday, November 3
Trumbull County officials push back on St. Joseph's plan to close its maternity ward
The Daily Youngstown team
If you live in Trumbull County, the St. Joseph maternity fight is still growing. Mercy Health said Wednesday, Oct. 28, that St. Joseph Warren Hospital's birthing center will close in December and refer patients to Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital.
Pushback has built since Mercy's announcement
- Oct. 28Mercy Health announces the labor and delivery unit will close.
- Oct. 29Trumbull County commissioners send a letter demanding Mercy halt its plans.
- Oct. 30Commissioners file a complaint with the Ohio Department of Medicaid.
- Nov. 2Hernandez says he has been in contact with U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno.
- DecemberThe unit is set to close permanently.
Sources: WFMJ, Tribune Chronicle, The Vindicator
Commissioners Tony Bernard, Rick Hernandez and Denny Malloy demanded Mercy drop the plan and answer nine questions. They then filed a Medicaid complaint saying the closure creates an "obstetric desert." The Ohio Nurses Association also criticized the decision.
- Mercy's reasons, per Rep. David Thomas: birthrates and staffing
- Hernandez says Dr. Anthony DeSalvo disputes the staffing claim
- Moreno has been in contact with Mercy Health's CEO, Hernandez says
The closure would end the county's only birthing unit
- 1
- labor and delivery unit in Trumbull County
- 30+ minutes
- drive from Warren to Boardman
- 9
- issues commissioners want St. Joseph to address
Sources: Tribune Chronicle, The Vindicator, WFMJ
Hernandez said Monday he'll release more information "at the appropriate time." In Warren, Councilwoman Helen Rucker called the long drive "unacceptable."
Sources: WFMJ, Tribune Chronicle, Business Journal Daily, The Vindicator