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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Will Cleveland Clinic get a $3.5M subsidy for its Indian River labor and delivery unit?
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Residents, doctors and other health care workers expressed their support for a subsidy for Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital so expectant mothers can continue delivering babies there. And they seem willing to provide $3.5 million of tax money to do it. At least three people among the 100 or so who attended the town hall meeting Aug. 12 at the Intergenerational Recreation Center were bold enough to voice their support for the subsidy, while many others applauded their comments. At least 31 more people tuned in on Zoom. The meeting was hosted by the Indian River County Hospital District, which collects taxes to support health care needs. If the district fails to provide a subsidy, it may put the labor and delivery unit at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital at risk of closing. "The moms have to go somewhere," said Frank Isele, executive director of the district, before the meeting. Only three from the audience questioned a subsidy or criticized Cleveland Clinic. One received applause. Loss of labor and delivery Cleveland Clinic Indian River is the only hospital in Indian River County that delivers babies. And a $7.7 million annual loss in the obstetrics and gynecological unit poses a threat to labor and delivery services there. Cleveland Clinic has not requested a subsidy, Dr. Richard Rothman, vice president and chief medical officer of Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital has said. But it has begun talks with the hospital district about sustaining maternity services, he said. Cleveland Clinic earlier this year closed its labor and delivery unit in Martin County, citing a shortage of doctors. Martin County is now on the verge of becoming a maternity-care desert, said Samantha Suffich, CEO of the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, which provides education and support to pregnant women and infants. If Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital closes its labor and delivery unit, Isele said, Health First's Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne and HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce may be unable to handle the influx of births. Expansions at those hospitals may be needed, he said. A Caring Center for Women, which provides early prenatal care to women, already has seen 553 pregnant women since January, said director Gerri Rorick. At that pace, that would be an increase in births from recent years. The Vero Beach center typically is the first to see women who are pregnant before sending them to Cleveland Clinic's Partners in Women's Health, which provides prenatal and postpartum care. The district is supporting that unit with $4.2 million annually. National and statewide trend Closure of labor and delivery units is a trend occurring across Florida and nationally, Isele told attendees. "Let's make sure we're getting ahead of it," he said. Trustees of the hospital district Aug. 12 wanted to hear from the community. Specifically, whether it's important for expectant moms to have a labor and delivery unit close to home and whether to spend tax money for it — while a longer-term solution is developed. The $3.5 million cost amounts to about $42 per person per year, Isele said. Transportation issue About 300 pregnant women in Indian River County each year struggle with transportation, said Megan McFall, CEO of Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition. If the county is without a labor and delivery unit, these moms may have to rely on 911 to get to a hospital. More on health care: Another Cleveland Clinic labor and delivery unit at risk due to $7.7M loss More on schools: It's a 'typical first day of school' as Treasure Coast students begin new school year "Seconds count for these moms," McFall said. "Seconds count for these babies." Two more community meetings are scheduled for this week: One is 6-7 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Sebastian Community Center, 1805 North Central Ave.; and the other is 6-7 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center, 4875 43rd Ave., Gifford. Keith Burbank is TCPalm's watchdog reporter mainly covering Martin County. He can be reached at and at 720-288-6882. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Some support for a $3.5M subsidy for labor and delivery unit in IRC Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Early voting numbers for May 3 election
A total of 3,108 voters checked in during Early Voting for the May 3rd General and Special Joint Elections here in Walker County. Tuesday, April 29, was the final day of Early Voting. Election Day for the 2025 General and Special Joint Elections is Saturday, May 3. Walker County registered voters can cast their vote at any of the countywide polling locations between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day. The ballot for Walker County contains several measures that have drawn the attention of local voters. City of Huntsville residents are voting on a local liquor option election to make the entire city wet for liquor sales. The effort was brought forth by small business owners Otilio and Delfina Perez, with Rodeo Food Truck Park by a petition. The Walker County Hospital District board of managers unanimously voted to approve an order calling a bond election to be held for the Walker County Hospital District. The proposed $246 million bond proposal is to construct a new, state-of-the-art hospital aimed at expanding healthcare services and enhancing the quality of care for the community. The Board of Commissioners for Walker County Emergency Services District #3 placed a Sales and Use Tax proposition on the ballot that would allow the District to implement a 1.5% Sales and Use Tax in areas not already at the State Sales Tax cap of 8.25%. Revenue from this tax will be used to support the District in meeting the increasing demand for Emergency Services due to population and growth in the region. Locations are: WALKER COUNTY STORM SHELTER / VETERAN'S COMPLEX 455 SH 75 N, Huntsville, Texas 77320 NEW WAVERLY FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 460 Fisher Street, New Waverly, Texas 77358 COOK SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 1936-A SH 75 N, Huntsville, Texas 77320 RIVERSIDE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH 2341 FM 980, Huntsville, Texas 77320 WALKER COUNTY ANNEX 1301 Sam Houston Ave., Room 101, Huntsville, Texas 77340 Early voting ballots cast May 3rd General and Special Joint Elections Visit the Current Elections page at for sample ballots and additional election details. Or contact the Voter Registration/Elections Department directly at (936) 436-4959.
