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County commissioners sign letter opposing MaineHealth plan to close Lincoln Hospital labor-and-delivery unit
Summary
Commissioners voted 3–0 to sign a letter opposing MaineHealth’s proposed closure of labor-and-delivery services at Lincoln Hospital, citing concerns about EMS impacts and local access to maternal care; the administrator will send the letter to state delegates and noted public listening sessions are underway.
The Lincoln County commissioners voted unanimously to join a letter opposing MaineHealth’s proposal to close the labor-and-delivery unit at Lincoln Hospital.
The county administrator presented a draft letter and urged the board to consider how a closure would affect local emergency medical services and access to maternal care. “If folks are not able to travel to Lincoln Health for labor and delivery services, they’re going to need to go out of the county for those services, and that’ll tie up ambulances,” the administrator said, adding concerns about volunteer EMS resources and the broader community impact.
Commissioners discussed public listening sessions MaineHealth has scheduled and the need to raise local awareness so residents can weigh in. A motion to sign the letter was moved, seconded and adopted by a 3–0 vote; the administrator said the county would send the letter promptly and share it with the county’s legislative delegation.
