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7/29/2025
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Aquidneck representatives applaud decision to keep Newport birthing center open
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 STATE HOUSE – Aquidneck Island’s House of Representatives delegation expressed relief today at the announcement from Brown University Health that it will not close the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital in the next fiscal year.
“The Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center is a critically important public health resource for our constituents, providing not only birthing services but outstanding regular pre- and postnatal care depended on by families. The prospect of young families — many of whom are financially disadvantaged and don’t have easy access to transportation — having to travel 40 minutes or more off island for these services was extremely alarming. We are grateful to the leaders at Newport Hospital and Brown University Health for their recognition of the importance of the birthing center to our communities, and for their commitment to keeping it open next year. Thank you to the city and town councils across Newport County who passed resolutions supporting the center, the thousands of people that signed the petition to keep it open and the moms across Aquidneck Island that stood up to keep the center open,” said Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport).
She and Aquidneck Island Representatives Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Middletown, Portsmouth), Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton), Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist. 73, Newport, Middletown) and Alex S. Finkelman (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) last week sent a letter to hospital leaders expressing their opposition to a proposal to close the birthing center that was being considered in the hospital’s budget plan for the next fiscal year.
In the letter, the legislators pointed to the hardships the proposal would have caused for families, particularly low-income residents and the hundreds of young families living at the Newport Naval base, a great many of whom rely on the center’s services. They expressed concern that it would have resulted in a large increase in the use of emergency services, straining municipal budgets and tying up ambulances with long trips to distant facilities.
The letter also pointed to the many efforts the General Assembly made in the state budget that went into effect this month to help ease hospitals’ financial struggles, including an infusion of $38 million above the governor’s proposal for hospital reimbursement rates and direct support payments, and more than $40 million in additional funds for primary care reimbursement.
Some 200 residents and health care providers packed Newport City Hall at a meeting last week when the City Council passed a resolution calling for the center to remain open.
The island’s House members said they appreciate the swift response by hospital officials and their recognition of the importance of the birthing center to public health on Aquidneck Island.
Named for Newport philanthropist Drexel following a substantial financial gift she provided to it, the center earned the World Health Organization and UNICEF “Baby Friendly” designation in 2004 for its excellence in supporting breastfeeding by new mothers.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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