Troy, New York residents save birthing center from closure
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Residents of Troy, New York, successfully prevented Trinity Health from closing the Burdett Birth Center at Samaritan Hospital.
In 2023, Trinity Health, a Michigan-based hospital system, announced plans to close the birthing center due to financial losses, requiring families to travel to a hospital in Albany. Starletta Washington, head of the local YWCA, and other community leaders quickly organized a campaign to fight the closure.
The effort united a broad coalition including patient advocates, mothers, midwives, doulas, and elected officials from both the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as support from the Catholic diocese and Planned Parenthood. Activists highlighted the disproportionate impact the closure would have on low-income residents lacking transportation, and they pointed to Trinity Health’s substantial revenue as evidence the hospital could afford to maintain the service.
After months of pressure, including a lawsuit from Trinity Health and an investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James, Trinity reversed its decision. State Assembly member John T. McDonald III and other officials secured $5 million in state funding to support Burdett, ensuring continued access to birthing services for the community. The Burdett Birth Center has a lower rate of cesarean section deliveries, around 25 percent, than the state average of about 33 percent.
