With an eye toward the future, PeaceHealth commits resources in the midst of cuts

As PeaceHealth cuts $10 million in expenses, it keeps a steady eye on post-recession operations. Recently, The Register-Guard reported PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Foundation pledged $1.875 million toward Lane Community College’s campaign for a new health careers building. The Eugene Weekly reports PeaceHealth also remains committed to spending $20 million toward a new hospital in Friday Harbor, Washington.

Relocating the PeaceHealth Nurse-Midwifery Birth Center adjacent to RiverBend is fully in sync with PeaceHealth’s long view. Its practices and outcomes are fully aligned with its mission, core values and vision. Of equal importance, ensuring the Birth Center’s future by relocating it demonstrates sensitivity to the importance of being in step with national healthcare reforms of increased access, lower costs and excellent outcomes. The Birth Center is a model in each of these areas:

• Regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, women may initiate prenatal care at the Birth Center.

• According to government data cited by ChildbirthConnection.org, birth center births, on average, are one-fourth the cost of hospital births ($1,624 as compared to $6,239).
  

• Anecdotal and evidence-based research demonstrates excellent mother-baby outcomes for women receiving birth center care.
  

Birth Center supporters deeply appreciate PeaceHealth ’s commitment to a Mother’s Day groundbreaking.