Quinn Statement On Marshfield’s Suspension Of Birth Services In Rice Lake

MADISON, WI -- Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (R-Cameron) released the following statement in response to the announcement by Marshfield Medical Center to pause labor and delivery services in Rice Lake:

“As a recent father of two young boys, I am concerned by the news to pause labor and delivery services in Rice Lake and the impact it will have on expectant mothers. I can’t imagine the added stress of having to change plans in the middle of what is supposed to be a joyous event.

This suspension of service is one example where healthcare worker recruitment and retention can be the difference in whether certain services remain available. Workforce challenges in healthcare are especially severe in rural areas of the state, which is why earlier this year I introduced legislation to expand and enhance graduate medical education programs in rural hospitals to train more physicians.

The bill, which was signed into law as Wisconsin Act 185 last March, will allow more medical students to complete their residency in Wisconsin. When given that opportunity, they then tend to stay in Wisconsin for their professional careers.

Marshfield Medical Center says it will continue to offer prenatal and postpartum care in Rice Lake while labor and delivery care will be in Eau Claire. Labor and delivery care is also available in Hayward, Amery, St. Croix Falls, and Duluth. While patients have been assured this disruption is temporary, I will continue to seek ways to ensure that residents in Northwestern Wisconsin will receive critical care services when they need it.”