St. Peter’s to delay closure of Burdett Birth Center until June

St. Peter’s Health Partners has agreed to delay closure of the Burdett Birth Center until at least June of next year.

The company made the announcement Monday along with the release of a report about the impact closing Rensselaer County’s only birthing facility would have.

The report was compiled by the Chartis Group who are considered experts in health and racial equity consulting. About 11% of the births that occurred in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties happened at Samaritan Hospital.

The report states that there would be an impact on  underserved communities.

“The impact of transportation barriers … increases the risk of inequitable health outcomes for individuals in the service area and those in identified medically underserved groups,” the report said.

To see the complete report, click here.

A total of 98% of people surveyed were opposed to the potential closure.

Attorney General Letitia James put out a statement praising the decision to delay closing.

“This facility has provided vital services which take patient concerns, priorities, and values into account, and has helped serve families throughout the Capital Region and beyond. We have been in constant contact with our colleagues in government, local stakeholders, and with St. Peter’s Health Partners, which runs the Burdett Birth Center,” she said in a news release. “I am pleased that the decision has been made to delay the closure date, and my office will continue to do everything within our power to ensure this essential facility remains open,” she said in a statement.