Bill > H8490

This bill establishes the Noreen Drexel Birthing Center Fund within the department of health to support the operation and expansion of women's, maternal, and infant health and birthing services at Newport Hospital, recognizing the hospital's critical role in providing local maternity care and reducing the need for patients to travel for services. The fund will be administered by the department of health in partnership with the Newport Hospital Foundation and will be used exclusively for the continued operation, staffing, and enhancement of these services. For fiscal year 2027, the state will appropriate $1,633,333 to the fund, but this is contingent on matching contributions of the same amount from Brown Health (or its successor entity) and an equal amount from philanthropic donations. To be eligible for these funds, Brown Health or its operating entity must maintain continuous, year-round inpatient labor and delivery services at Newport Hospital, provide 24/7 obstetric care with adequate staffing for emergencies, and not reduce the scope of services offered, such as eliminating inpatient labor and delivery or converting to outpatient-only services. Furthermore, the entity must provide quarterly financial reports, an annual report on the fund's use and impact, hold an annual open meeting for transparency, participate in community councils, and develop a sustainability plan for a state-of-the-art women's and maternal healthcare facility. The community council will meet quarterly to review birthing center data and ensure collaborative decision-making for the fund's sustainability. This act will take effect immediately upon passage.