|
|
6/8/2026
|
State budget includes Carson’s proposals to preserve birthing center
|
 STATE HOUSE – The 2027 state budget bill that was approved by the House of Representatives Friday includes proposals from Rep. Lauren H. Carson to provide $1.6 million for Newport Hospital’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center and prevent the closure of any birthing center.
Representative Carson proposed the funding in response to Brown University Health’s assertion that it needs $4.9 million to keep the birthing center open. Representative Carson, who is part of the Coalition for Newport Hospital Birthing Center, responded with a plan to provide that money as a three-way split, with the state, Brown Health and philanthropy each accounting for $1.6 million.
The budget bill (2026-H 7127Aaa), which is expected to come before the Senate Tuesday, has also been amended to include legislation (2026-H 7272) Representative Carson proposed earlier in the session for a “reverse certificate of need” requirement to prohibit the closure or significant reduction of services of any birthing center without notice, application, financial disclosure, public hearing, and approval by the Department of Health.
“I’m very grateful to my colleagues in the House, particularly House Speaker Christopher Blazejewski, for defending women, children and families on Aquidneck Island and the region by including these protections for the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center in the state budget,” said Representative Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport). “Brown Health should be very pleased as well. They indicated they need this funding, as well as increased Medicaid rates and more for uncompensated care, which this budget also provides. The General Assembly is doing the work to shore up our health care system.”
“The coalition looks forward to working with the hospital. We want it to succeed, and we are committed to ensuring that our birthing center becomes a state-of-the-art facility that provides the best of care to support healthy outcomes for babies and moms in our community and beyond,” she continued.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
|
|