Granted the
demographics have changed, and this area of Pennsylvania has seen a decline in
the younger population, but there still is enough to keep the OB ward open.
Problem is that hospitals must anticipate budgets, and Obamacare is wreaking
havoc on the budget forecasting process.
Southwestern Pa. hospital to stop baby
deliveries
WINDBER, Pa. (AP) — A southwestern Pennsylvania hospital will
stop delivering babies after March 31 because its obstetricians are either
leaving or refocusing their practices, and because hospital officials believe
they can't afford it based on projected reimbursements under looming federal
health care reforms.
The Windber Medical Center, about 60 miles southeast of
Pittsburgh, is losing two obstetricians and two others are shifting their focus
more to gynecology.
Hospital officials say the population of women of child-bearing
age is dropping and that the number of births the hospital would be called upon
to perform isn't enough for it to provide the service in the face of lower
reimbursements under the federal Affordable Care Act.
The hospital delivered about 200 babies each year since
restarting its obstetrics program in 2005.
Officials aren't sure how many jobs will be
lost.
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