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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 J U LY 1 4 , 2 0 2 5 F O C U S H E A L T H C A R E / W E L L N E S S according to a needs assessment of the obstetric workforce in Maine's rural hospitals, commis- sioned by MaineHealth to the Roux Institute at Northeastern University and published in January 2024. By 2020, half of all U.S. counties lacked a hos- pital offering obstetric services. Key reasons include financial strain caused by Medicaid reimbursement rates inadequate to cover the total costs of obstetric care, challenges in recruiting and retaining medical staff and an over- all decreasing volume of births. Falling birth rates Houlton Regional Hospital closed its inpatient labor and delivery unit in May, citing volume decline. e hospital's OB/GYN physician's office will remain open and continue to provide services for women's health care. York Hospital closed its inpatient birthing unit in 2023, citing a shortage of health care workers and falling birth rates. e hospital continues to provide pre- and post-natal care. In 2022, St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston closed its maternity and women's health unit, citing declining birth rates. It transferred patients and their medical records to Central Maine Medical Center, a mile away. Specialized skills Citing a "dramatic decline" in birth rates, Mount Desert Island Hospital in Bar Harbor closed its labor and delivery unit, effective July 1. In 2024, the hospital had 32 deliveries, down from 100 average annual deliveries a decade ago. Low volumes made maintaining the specialized skills required for safe, high-quality obstetric care increasingly difficult, the hospital said. e decision comes after a review of patient safety, staff readiness and long-term viability. Christina Maguire, MDI Hospital's president and CEO, cited skyrocketing costs, a shrinking rural pop- ulation and inadequate reimbursement from federal and state sources as part of the rationale. e hospital said it was working to ensure mater- nal health remains a priority. Elements of that plan include renovation to double the size of the emergency department, with one room equipped with labor and delivery equipment for emer- gency births; and coordination with nearby facilities to ensure smooth transfers for deliveries. "We know how much this service has meant to our community," Christina Maguire, MDI Hospital's president and CEO, said in March. "But we must adapt to ensure the continued strength of our hospi- tal and the care we provide." L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r , M a i n e b i z s e n i o r w r i t e r , c a n b e r e a c h e d a t l s c h r e i b e r @ m a i n e b i z . b i z Mainebiz continues to be our state's leading business and development publication and we are proud to be a longtime supporter and contributor. — Mark Adams President & CEO, Sebago Technics 85% of Mainebiz readers spend 15 minutes or more reading each issue 81% of Mainebiz subscribers are the #1 decision-makers at their business. INFORM. ENGAGE. CONNECT. ENGAGED AUDIENCE FOR ADVER TI S I NG OPPOR TU NI TI ES, EM AI L ADVERTISING@MAINEBIZ.BIZ F U L L C O N T E N T S O N PA G E 4 F O C U S S O U T H E R N M A I N E M U S H RO O M A N D C O N S T R U C T I O N P H O T O S / T I M G R E E N W AY P O R T S M O U T H N AVA L S H I P YA R D P H O T O S / J I M N E U G E R 12 Anchoring Kittery The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, a major employer in southern Maine, gears up for the future. 16 A real estate surge A shortage of existing homes has contractors scrambling to meet the demand for housing. 19 Ag's next wave? Mushroom growers are cultivating a variety of fungi to keep up with demand from chefs and consumers. Southern Maine builds on diverse industries S O U T H E R N M A I N E F O C U S Economy motion S O U T H E R N M A I N E F O C U S S TA R T S O N PA G E 1 1 » in $2.00 July 10, 2017 VO L . X X I I I N O. X V www.mainebiz.biz 85% of Mainebiz readers are college graduates STATEWIDE, SUBSCRIPTION-BASED BUSINESS PUBLICATION IN MAINE. WE ARE THE ONLY AUDITED, A Look at Maine's Future Economy REGISTER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17 Caring for Maine Caring for Maine Caring for Maine buildings for more buildings for more buildings for more than 70 years! than 70 years! than 70 years! Eastside Center for Health & Rehabilitation Bucksport Health Center Pharmacy Addition Husson University-Wellness & Learning Center (also middle left) Northern Maine collaboration F ort Kent's Northern Maine Medical Center and Houlton Regional Hospital are looking to improve long-term financial stability through a one- year management service agreement that could lead to a formal affiliation. Northern Maine Medical Center is providing executive management to the Houlton hospital. Both continue to operate as independent entities. "If we stand alone, chances of survival are lim- ited," said Jeff Zewe, president and CEO of the Fort Kent hospital. "Coming together and leveraging opportunities will help us better navigate through these very challenging times in health care." P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F N O R T H E R N M A I N E M E D I C A L C E N T E R Northern Maine Medical Center is in Fort Kent, in Aroostook County.

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