State representative files bills to require transparency before birthing center closures

Representative Lauren Carson briefed Newport leaders on two bills she filed to protect local birthing services and strengthen maternal-infant health monitoring.

Carson said one bill would create statutory guardrails requiring hospitals to publish independent audited financial data, equity assessments, Medicaid impacts, transportation analyses and capacity studies before closing a birthing center or moving services. She said the goal is to make hospital decisions more public and to give communities, legislators and regulators the information needed to assess impacts.

Carson also filed a companion measure to make permanent a five-year federal grant to the Department of Health that supports maternal and infant health services; the aim is to maintain an ongoing evaluation of maternal-care outcomes, reimbursement impacts and service capacity for low-income families.

Local leaders and counsel urged ongoing engagement with Brown University Health and said they remain unsure whether the hospital will keep the Newport birthing center. Councilors asked whether physicians, obstetric coverage and Navy personnel assignments could affect the hospital’s decisions; lawmakers said multiple factors (including reimbursement rates and institutional budgeting) are at play.

Representatives and council members recommended passing a local council resolution in support of the bills and preparing testimony for upcoming hearings expected between March and May.