When PeaceHealth Oregon closed its Nurse Midwifery Birth Center in late summer— it left Lane County without such birthing services for the first time since the 1970’s. On Wednesday, a community organizing group announced plans to open new, free-standing Birth Center in the Eugene-Springfield area.
Certified nurse midwives and members of the Board of Directors told a group of supporters "Our Community Birth Center" is now an established non-profit organization. They have a business plan and several nurse midwives interested in practicing again. Executive Director AlexAnn Westlake says the next step is raising capital.
“As many people know the first couple years are the hardest for any new organization whether it’s a non-profit. And in this case we’ve generated a fundraising goal of $775,000. That goal will cover start-up costs and the first year of operations.
After that, Westlake says the new Birth Center will be sustained primarily through insurance reimbursement, including the Oregon Health Plan.
They continue to seek a location for the new birth center. Westlake says an ideal site would be in proximity to an area hospital.
