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Healthy Start Coalition asks Martin County to explore county land lease for maternity center after local unit closure
Summary
With Cleveland Clinic Martin North set to close its labor and delivery unit April 1, the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition asked commissioners to discuss leasing county-owned land next to Cleveland Clinic Martin South and to coordinate use of an allocated $2 million in state funding to establish local maternity care.
Samantha Suffich, a representative of the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, told the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 25 that Cleveland Clinic Martin North will close its labor and delivery unit on April 1, leaving families to travel outside the county for maternity care. The coalition asked the county to open talks about leasing unused county property adjacent to Cleveland Clinic Martin South as a potential site for a new maternity care center. "To move forward efficiently, we need to identify a suitable location as soon as possible," Suffich said.
The question of local maternity care has drawn state support: Suffich said Representative Oberdorf and Senator Harrell have appropriated $2,000,000 in state funding to help establish a new maternity center in Martin County. She asked the board to allow the Healthy Start Coalition to enter a formal discussion with county staff about leasing county land adjacent to the hospital.
Why it matters: Local maternity services affect access to timely prenatal and birth care; the coalition warned the closure could increase travel time for deliveries, stress on regional hospitals and barriers for families. Commissioner Campy said he has been following the closure and discussions with hospital leadership and pledged the county’s staff would engage with the coalition to explore options. He identified county staff — including county attorney and operations staff — who would help determine what the county could legally and practically offer. Several commissioners signaled support for staff engagement and collaboration with state lawmakers and the hospital.
Discussion vs. decision: Commissioners did not take a binding vote. Campy said he supports staff engagement to explore options. Staff were identified as the people to work with the coalition to evaluate leasing and legal feasibility; no lease or financial commitment was approved at the meeting.
Next steps: The coalition and county staff were encouraged to meet and report back; commissioners signaled interest in coordinating with Representative Oberdorf and Senator Harrell on state funding and with hospital leadership to identify an appropriate site and legal path for a lease or agreement.
Ending: Suffich closed by asking for the board’s support in moving forward with discussions; commissioners acknowledged the issue as a county priority and urged staff to engage further.
