2026-20 Resolution of the Council, re: In Support of the Continued Operation of the Newport Hospital Birth Center and Rhode Island House Bill H7272.

No: 2026-20

Town of Middletown, Rhode Island
Resolution Supporting the Continued Operation of the Newport Hospital Birthing Center and Rhode Island House Bill H7272

WHEREAS, the Newport Hospital Birthing Center is the only maternity care facility located on Aquidneck Island and provides essential obstetric and newborn services to residents of Middletown and surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, continued local access to maternity care is critical to public health, patient safety, emergency preparedness, and timely care for expectant mothers and newborns; and

WHEREAS, the closure of the Newport Hospital Birthing Center would require residents to seek care off-island, increasing travel times, straining regional healthcare systems, and potentially impacting maternal and infant health outcomes; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island House Bill H7272, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – The Hospital Conversions Act, seeks to strengthen state oversight of hospital service changes and closures to protect community access to essential healthcare services; and

WHEREAS, meaningful legislative oversight is an important tool to ensure that decisions affecting critical healthcare services consider community needs, public health impacts, and regional capacity;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Middletown Town Council affirms the importance of keeping the Newport Hospital Birthing Center open and operational; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Middletown Town Council respectfully urges members of the Rhode Island General Assembly to support and enact House Bill H7272, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – The Hospital Conversions Act; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council encourages continued collaboration among healthcare providers, state officials, and municipal leaders to preserve access to essential maternity and hospital services on Aquidneck Island; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Rhode Island General Assembly delegation representing Middletown, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and the leadership of Newport Hospital.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026
READ AND PASSED IN COUNCIL

Wendy J. W. Marshall
Wendy J. W. Marshall, MMC
T

Town of Middletown, Rhode Island
Resolution Supporting the Continued Operation of the Newport Hospital Birthing Center and Rhode Island House Bill H7272

WHEREAS, the Newport Hospital Birthing Center is the only maternity care facility located on Aquidneck Island and provides essential obstetric and newborn services to residents of Middletown and surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, continued local access to maternity care is critical to public health, patient safety, emergency preparedness, and timely care for expectant mothers and newborns; and

WHEREAS, the closure of the Newport Hospital Birthing Center would require residents to seek care off-island, increasing travel times, straining regional healthcare systems, and potentially impacting maternal and infant health outcomes; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island House Bill H7272, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – The Hospital Conversions Act, seeks to strengthen state oversight of hospital service changes and closures to protect community access to essential healthcare services; and

WHEREAS, meaningful legislative oversight is an important tool to ensure that decisions affecting critical healthcare services consider community needs, public health impacts, and regional capacity;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Middletown Town Council affirms the importance of keeping the Newport Hospital Birthing Center open and operational; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Middletown Town Council respectfully urges members of the Rhode Island General Assembly to support and enact House Bill H7272, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – The Hospital Conversions Act; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council encourages continued collaboration among healthcare providers, state officials, and municipal leaders to preserve access to essential maternity and hospital services on Aquidneck Island; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Rhode Island General Assembly delegation representing Middletown, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and the leadership of Newport Hospital.