Attorney General Neronha reacts to Brown Health’s commitment to keep open Newport Hospital birthing center

Published on Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today issued the following statement in response to Brown Health’s announcement that it will keep open Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital.

“I want to thank Brown Health for prioritizing the health care needs of Newport County by deciding to keep Newport Hospital’s birthing center open, and for engaging with my Office regarding this issue. My Office is keenly aware of the financial pressures experienced by Brown Health and other hospitals and providers; pressures that arise from our failure to fix the financial fundamentals of our broken health care system. Providers across Rhode Island have long sounded the alarm about low Medicaid reimbursement rates and other financial stressors, and up until very recently, those calls for change went unanswered. Until we truly prioritize investment in our health care system, we can and should expect more difficult decisions about closures, decisions which may not turn out as favorably as this one.

“I also want to thank the community members who made their voices heard on this issue by contacting me directly, hosting community meetings, making calls, and sending letters – your advocacy absolutely affected the outcome of this situation. Please know that my Office and others are working every day to move the needle on health care investment and reform in Rhode Island. We value your support, and we thank you for showing up for your fellow community members.”

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