Rebirth of Burdett Birth Center
TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- What some are calling the rebirth of the Burdett Birth Center has the community celebrating the news. With the news of the Burdett Center keeping its doors open for another five years, expecting moms reacted to the unexpected news. “Thinking that I am going to be giving birth in November and not knowing that until today that I was going to giving birth a Burdett it was anxiety provoking to say the least,” expecting Mother Erin Wright said.
“I saw the news today and I had to read it a couple of times and reread it and let it sink in because it felt like the impossible was made,” said another expecting mother, Holly Zarrelli.
Save The Burdett Center Coalition says the fight is just beginning. “By no means, means that the work that we have done is over. I think what it means is that we're now entering a new chapter of what that organizing work is going to be,” said Save Burdett Center organizer, Ashley Saupp.
The Attorney General’s office got involved and took a deeper look into the proposed closure and sent us the following response, “Keeping the Burdett Birth Center was a top priority. While this announcement is welcome news. I will continue to monitor the situation and take action if needed,” said Attorney General, Leticia James.
New York Assembly Member John McDonald has a plan for sustainability, saying Midwives and Doulas have become an integral part of the birthing process. “In other states the Midwife model has actually been used much more regularly. the Department of Health has actually solicited comment back in the fall and will be re-issuing regulations for Midwife led birth centers. So, it may open up an opportunity in the next couple of years. Yes, it's still Burdette that is kind of located in the hospital, but there may be another partner that we can bring on board,” said the Assembly member.
The New York State Department of Health says that when it comes to the birthing center’s closure plans and the paperwork already filed, the DOH will discontinue the review process once a formal request to withdraw the certificate of need is received.
This story is continuing to develop. Keep with NEWS10 for the very latest in developments.