THERE ARE now only eight hospitals offering maternity services in the Philadelphia region. Eighteen obstetric units or hospitals with them have closed over the last 12 years.This is of great significance for developing city neighborhoods and, as an at-large candidate for City Council, one of the key topics of my campaign will emphasize the importance of revitalizing access to inpatient, emergency and maternity health services as principal agents in creating a family-based infrastructure of community, employment, education and wellness.

The recent announcement that as of June 30, Mercy Suburban Hospital will eliminate maternity services continues the pattern of disregard for family values and the lack of respect for the needs of women who require birthing options.

We can argue that the cause lies somewhere between malpractice insurance, insurer/government reimbursement rates or uninsured patients and cost to provide service, but the ultimate discussion should be about the obligation of the charitable mission of not-for-profit hospitals and the effect on eliminating services in the communities they serve.

Since the maternity-care crisis in Philadelphia has mostly gone unnoticed, I’d like to develop awareness and provide information that will contribute to solving this problem.

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