Winner Regional Hospital will stop offering labor and delivery services starting February first.
Winner Regional Health announced the service change on Monday, citing ongoing challenges in recruiting physicians and difficulties with Medicaid reimbursement.
"The hurdle we could not overcome was the fact that we don't have the physicians to deliver," said Brian Williams, CEO of Winner Regional Hospital.
Williams said the hospital has a high Medicaid clientele and reimbursement rates don't cover the cost of delivery by physicians who work for the hospital.
“I can’t afford to bring in very expensive travelling doctors to fill that need when I’m already losing money, even if I had my own providers," Williams said. "I’m just extenuating that loss, which is putting us in a financial situation that we can’t support any longer.”
Williams said he will resume labor and delivery services if he's able to recruit providers that offer OB services, he will keep the program or restart it immediately.
The south-central South Dakota hospital delivers about 115 babies a year.
According to the South Dakota Department of Health, over half of all South Dakota counties are considered maternal care deserts.
The nearest labor and delivery hospitals to Winner are Chamberlain, Pierre and Valentine Nebraska.
"We understand the intricacies of rural health care given workforce challenges and payment models," said Michelle Pokorney, public relations manager for Avera Health. "Avera is committed to rural health care and meeting the needs of those who seek care within our facilities, including those needing obstetrics care in our birthing locations.”
Outgoing State Senator Erin Tobin, a Republican from Winner, calls the news devastating.
“Winner, and a lot of our rural communities, they’re held up by older doctors who have been here and have grown their families here," Tobin said. "It is literally impossible to attract young doctors—especially OB/GYN—to our rural areas.”
In 2023 session, Tobin attempted to update the state's near total abortion ban. The only abortion exception is to save the life of the mother. Tobin’s amendment included health of the mother language that she says was a compromise between South Dakota Right To Life and the American College of Gynecologists. She says that agreement fell apart at last minute. Her bill was never introduced.
Tobin, who is a family nurse practitioner, lost in spring primary election to a challenger backed by South Dakota Right To Life.
“When you don’t have OB/GYN, babies die. As hard as it was—and even though the hits that I took—I’m still proud of myself for doing that because it’s the truth," Tobin said. "It is the hard thing to do when you’re pro-life.”
Earlier this year, the state legislature directed the Department of Health to create a video explaining the state’s abortion law.
