Though I often wear many hats for News-Banner coverage, I would probably sum things up as “county coverage.” As such, I hear a lot about different groups’ efforts to care for the community’s finances, infrastructure and future. While there may be disagreements — occasionally quite contentious — they are most often disagreements between people who care about the future of their community and their home.
Because of this, I was incredibly disheartened by Lutheran Health Network’s choice to close the labor and delivery unit of Bluffton Regional Medical Center, as well as the subsequent closure of Meridian Women’s Health Center.
The future of a community undeniably lies in its youth. And while jobs and housing for the next generation are discussed ad nauseum, none of that conversation bears much fruit if we’re not considering the ability of women, mothers and infants to have quality local healthcare.
This is especially troubling considering the county’s recent decision to opt-in to Health First Indiana, a state-funded program to address local health issues through the local health department. One of the program’s “key performance indicators” is maternal and child health — which Wells County has, according to the HFI website, historically been above Indiana’s average.
A press release about the closure from the Lutheran Health Network referenced national fertility rates and their effects on rural hospitals as justification for the unit’s closure. I cannot profess to understand the specific business choices involved in the decision, but I mourn that profit margins outweigh sustaining services for a critical need within a community.
The release did note that the hospital would still serve emergency deliveries, however, I would hardly call that an ideal scenario for the hospital, parents or baby.
Beyond labor and delivery, women’s healthcare is of essential importance toward preventative care and early intervention. It’s not always an accessible option for people to travel for regular appointments, which can dissuade or prohibit vital check-ups and healthcare.
On the heels of RediMed’s closure in February, there appears to be a shift in priorities for local healthcare. Only time will tell the impact, but I fear it won’t be positive.
holly@news-banner.com
