State wants input on Mayo Clinic ending labor and delivery services in New Prague
John Mueller photo
Mayo Health System New Prague has announced plans to close its labor and delivery unit for delivering babies. As part of the closure, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will hold a public hearing on Mayo’s plan Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m.
Shelby (Giesen) Hartman was disappointed when she heard Mayo Health System New Prague had decided to stop providing labor and delivery services for the community. To her, it’s sad the community hospital will no longer be a place where local moms and dads can go to deliver their newborns.
Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague will soon stop providing labor and delivery services, including operative delivery and cesarean delivery, according to the submission it filed with Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Mayo Clinic Health Systems will continue to provide prenatal, post-natal and well-women outpatient services at its New Prague location.
As part of the closure, the MDH will hold a virtual public hearing on Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. on Mayo Clinic Health System New Prague ending labor and delivery services.
The hearing will be hosted by MDH's Health Regulation Division to provide a forum for the greater New Prague community to discuss the change in services and available alternatives for Mayo Health System patients. Those interested in participating can join the public hearing via the Microsoft Teams event by calling 651-395-7448 and using the access code 688 607 696#.
“I think it’s really disappointing,” Hartman said. She grew up in New Prague and today lives in Montgomery. She doesn’t want to see families lose touch with their community. “I feel like taking it away is a bad idea. It’s not in the community’s best interest.”
Hartman is concerned mothers will now have to make the choice between Mankato and other area hospitals depending on their insurance provider. Being able to stay with a well-established provider allows a woman to build a rapport with the physician.
Mayo cited a decreased number of deliveries in the recent past as the reason for the decision to close the unit. Hartman wondered if the department could be downsized rather than eliminated. She said the community has large families that could benefit from a community hospital when it comes time to have children.
Additional info
More information about the hearing, including accessibility accommodations and a form to submit public comments or questions is available online at www.health.state.mn.us/about/org/hrd/hearing/newprague.html – Mayo New Prague public hearing webpage.
In June 2021, the Minnesota Legislature passed ....
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