06/04/2026
ChristianaCare has announced the closure of the Family Birth Center at Union Hospital in Cecil County effective June 30, 2026 — eliminating the only hospital-based labor and delivery services in the county. Families will be redirected to either Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware, approximately 13 miles away, or UM Upper Chesapeake in Harford County, approximately 40 miles away. This raises significant concerns about access to maternity care, particularly for Medicaid-covered patients who may face coverage questions at out-of-state facilities.
UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING
Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Comfort Inn & Suites, 1 Center Dr., North East, MD 21901
Under Maryland regulation (COMAR 10.24.01.03C and .04D), a public informational hearing is required before this closure can proceed. Testimony and written statements become part of an official record shared with the Governor, the Maryland Secretary of Health, the Maryland Health Care Commission, local government, and members of the General Assembly. This is a meaningful opportunity for our profession to speak to the maternal health implications of losing a rural delivery unit.
Please contact Madison directly if you would like to get involved:
Madison Reese, CNM
📞 443-907-2679
✉️ [email protected]
Thank you for all you do for midwifery and the families we serve.
