MaineHealth’s Decision to Close Lincoln Hospital Maternity Unit Draws Criticism

The board of trustees at MaineHealth recently made the decision to shut down the labor and delivery unit at Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta. This decision follows several months of discussions and opposition from the community. The unit is scheduled to close on December 18, and maternity services will be transferred to MaineHealth’s Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick. This closure signifies the twelfth maternity unit closure in Maine since 2015, resulting in Lincoln County, Waldo County, and Sagadahoc County losing local birthing facilities. As a result, fewer than half of Maine’s 34 hospitals will offer maternity services.

Notable figures, including Governor Janet Mills and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree, alongside three gubernatorial candidates, had urged the hospital to reconsider its decision. They advocated for delaying the closure and maintaining birthing services in Damariscotta.

The health system has committed not to close any more labor and delivery units for the next two years. MaineHealth has also called on state lawmakers and the governor to initiate discussions involving hospitals, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to address the challenges faced by rural labor and delivery units. The health system explained that the closure stems from low birth rates and staffing challenges. Their statement emphasized that providing maternity care requires a team of healthcare professionals available around the clock for both routine and emergency deliveries. Management determined that they could not establish a sustainable staffing model for safe and reliable care in the long term.

The health system plans to adopt a “new regional model” that will integrate OB-GYN services between Damariscotta and Brunswick. Lincoln Hospital will continue to offer prenatal and postpartum care, such as ultrasounds, fertility services, and postpartum counseling. It will also expand its gynecologic outpatient and surgical services. However, labor and delivery services will be unavailable, with patients being redirected to the hospital in Brunswick or their preferred alternative.

This decision follows significant tensions between MaineHealth and local community advocates. The Miles Delivers Action Coalition, a grassroots group, emerged in response to MaineHealth’s initial plans to close the maternity unit. The group has actively contested the hospital’s rationale for closure, engaged with MaineHealth leadership to argue against the decision, and organized protests, including a demonstration in Portland just days before the vote. Following the decision, the Coalition pledged to explore every legal, regulatory, legislative, political, and community channel to protect maternity care in Lincoln County. They stated: “A hospital where you can no longer be born is hardly a hospital at all.”

Additionally, a pregnant woman from Lincoln County, due in January, filed a lawsuit supported by the advocacy group, attempting to halt the board’s vote. A judge denied her request for an emergency injunction, noting the lawsuit assumed closure before the vote was finalized. The lawsuit also seeks a permanent injunction to prevent the closure, which remains unresolved.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree openly criticized MaineHealth’s decision, stating, MaineHealth had a choice, and I believe they made the wrong one today. Moms, babies, and families in Lincoln County will suffer for it. Women will still be giving birth, just farther from home, with less time to spare and fewer safety nets if something goes wrong.

This article was initially published by The Maine Monitor and shared through a collaboration with The Associated Press.