Commissioner urges effort to delay closure of St. Marys birthing unit, cites local risk concerns

Commissioner Zucal told the Cameron County Commissioners on April 18 that Penn Highlands plans to close the birthing unit in St. Marys, and county officials are seeking to delay or halt that closure by communicating with the health system.

Zucal said Penn Highlands' stated reasons for the proposed closure include the hospital's lack of a neonatal intensive care unit, an on-site blood bank and specialty physicians "in case something critical happens." He said he did not fully agree with those assessments and warned that forcing pregnant people to travel farther—"having babies in cars"—could pose its own risks.

The minutes record that the commissioners will "put letters out to the right people" to seek postponement of the planned closure or a later effective date in hopes of preserving the service. No hospital representative spoke at the meeting, and the minutes do not record any formal county action beyond the commitment to send letters and continue engagement.

Background provided in the meeting minutes is limited to Commissioner Zucal's description of Penn Highlands' rationale and his stated disagreement. The minutes do not list specific statutory authorities, timelines for the hospital's decision, or follow-up deadlines for the county's outreach.