The entire state of Maine has seen a reduction in rural maternity services. However, in recent weeks it has been brought to light that our very own Labor & Delivery Services at MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital’s Miles Campus, is at risk of shutting down.

The University of Pennsylvania’s Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics conducted a study in 2025 investigating the closures of labor and delivery units across the country. The study found that from 2010 to 2022, 238 rural and 299 urban hospitals shut down their obstetric services. In this same time frame, only 138 hospitals – mainly urban – opened obstetric service centers. The study concluded by highlighting that only 52.4% of rural hospitals in the United States offer obstetric care. In Maine, 11 labor and delivery units have closed in the last decade, and Miles would be number 12.

In response to this trend across the country and our state, Rep. Kristi Mathieson, D-Kittery, sponsored a bill – now law – that requires hospitals to give at least a 120-day notice before closing or reducing maternity or newborn services. This will not stop a closure, but will at least give an expecting family a fighting chance to make other arrangements, if possible.

This issue has now entered our community and has rightfully caused a lot of concern across the district. If MaineHealth decides to move forward with this closure, there will be no hospital in Lincoln County for a mother to deliver her child. This closure would have long term effects on our community, forcing us to ask tough questions like how will we be able to attract young families to live here? How will we be able to assure child labor to pregnant women in our community? How many local jobs will be lost?

This issue is a true bipartisan concern. Rural maternity services should be available to all Mainers — something that is recognized across party lines. This issue affects Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike because it directly impacts maternal and infant health outcomes, emergency medical access, rural population stability, and the long-term viability of local communities. The decision to permanently shutdown Miles L&D services will be in the hands of the MaineHealth board on Aug. 6, 2026.

The Miles Delivers Action Coalition (MDAC) has called upon the Board of Directors of MaineHealth to: 1) immediately pause any steps toward services closure at Miles Lincoln Hospital; 2) publicly share the data, criteria, and analysis informing any proposed change; 3) via clear actions, show how they have heard the concerns of their patients, clinicians, municipal leaders, and community members prior to decision; and 4) work with the State of Maine to fully explore workforce strategies and rural health funding.

I — as a state senator, a mother, and a friend to more than a few women who have almost died or lost their child during labor — am calling upon the Board of Directors of MaineHealth to follow the requests of the MDAC. I know it is a very difficult and complicated problem, but I hope that MaineHealth works with our community and stakeholders to find an alternative solution to closing Miles L&D.

If you want to learn more, please visit milesdelivers.org, or follow MDAC on Facebook to stay informed. If you would like to voice your own concerns regarding this issue, you can email lincolnfeedback@mainehealth.org. Lastly, please remember that I am a resource for all of you. If there is anything that I can do for you, do not hesitate to reach out via email at cameron.reny@legislature.maine.gov or via phone at (207) 287-1515.