{"id":3856,"date":"2020-10-29T17:01:38","date_gmt":"2020-10-29T22:01:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=3856"},"modified":"2020-10-29T17:01:38","modified_gmt":"2020-10-29T22:01:38","slug":"indian-country-today-indian-health-service-shuts-down-birthing-center-at-urban-hospital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2020\/10\/29\/indian-country-today-indian-health-service-shuts-down-birthing-center-at-urban-hospital\/","title":{"rendered":"Indian Country Today: Indian Health Service shuts down birthing center at urban hospital"},"content":{"rendered":" \"phoenixindianmedicalcenter\"
The Phoenix Indian Medical Center is an Indian Health Service facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: IHS<\/figcaption>\r\n
Lawmakers demand answers in birthing center closure<\/div>\r\n
Thursday, October 29, 2020<\/div>\r\n
By Dalton Walker <\/div>\r\n
Indian Country Today<\/div>\r\n
indiancountrytoday.com<\/a><\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nA bipartisan group of Arizona lawmakers is demanding answers from the leader of the Indian Health Service after one of its largest hospitals stopped offering birthing services.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe Phoenix Indian Medical Center, which operates under the federal agency, shut down its inpatient obstetrics services August 26. The closure was sudden and without public notice, leaving dozens of moms scrambling to find birthing services elsewhere.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nOn Friday, after Indian Country Today reported on the shutdown<\/a>, the hospital posted on its Facebook page<\/a> that its delivery services were put on hold. It also updated its website to say obstetrical services are being diverted to alternate care facilities.\r\n

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<\/p>\r\nIn an October 21 letter to Indian Health Service Director Michael Weahkee<\/a>, eight of Arizona\u2019s 11 congressional delegates asked for additional information about the closure and what the Indian Health Service is providing for affected patients.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cIn light of the significant impact this could have on Native American families in our state and throughout the region, we are requesting further information about the closure and when Indian Health Service expects to resume these services at PIMC or an alternative facility,\u201d the letter said.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe lawmakers noted they were especially concerned with ensuring that affected Native mothers receive \u201csufficient outreach and support from IHS, and experience affordable and high-quality continuity of care.\u201d\r\n

<\/p>\r\nIndian Health Service officials briefed the Arizona delegation in September of the closure, according to the letter.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nIt was signed by Rep. Ruben Gallego, chairman of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples; Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally; and Reps. Ra\u00fal Grijalva, Tom O’Halleran, David Schweikert, Greg Stanton and Ann Kirkpatrick.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cI\u2019m very concerned about the closure of PIMC\u2019s birthing center, especially amid a pandemic that has made it more important than ever for Native people to access quality health care,\u201d Gallego said in a statement Monday. \u201cIHS must ensure that this closure is short-lived and that all those families who are affected receive proactive outreach and continuity of care, and that they have their costs covered.\u201d\r\n

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