MOUNT DESERT ISLAND — The Mount Desert Island Hospital in Bar Harbor has announced it will close its labor and delivery unit this summer, citing what they call a “dramatic decline” in births.
According to the hospital, there were just 33 babies born at the facility last year, and only nine so far this year. The hospital said they averaged 100 births per year a decade ago.
Union nurses at the hospital have condemned the closure, calling it “devastating” and “short-sighted.” In a written response, nurses also said the department should remain open, and that they are concerned about the effect on families in the region.
“MDIH administrators’ decision rips critical healthcare services from rural working families in our community,” said Janice Horton, RN, who is a 32-year veteran of MDIH’s OB department. “This devastating, short-sighted decision was made by administrators without any input from or dialogue with nurses and caregivers. Nurses are deeply concerned about the permanent, damaging effects this decision will have on families MDIH is supposed to serve in Bar Harbor and surrounding towns and outer islands.”
Hospital administration said the closure is necessary because of “skyrocketing costs, a shrinking rural population, and inadequate reimbursement from federal and state sources.”
“This is deeply personal for me—I gave birth to both of my children here,” said MDI Hospital’s President and CEO, Chrissi Maguire. “We know how much this service has meant to our community. But we must adapt to ensure the continued strength of our hospital and the care we provide. This decision, while painful, is necessary to ensure the sustainability of high-quality healthcare services for all.”
M-D-I is the latest hospital to close its birthing unit in recent years, following Northern Light Inland Hospital and Maine Health Waldo Hospital this year alone.
MDI Hospital said they are actively working to ensure that maternal health remains a top priority, and noted the following points:
A grant and donor-funded renovation will double the size of the Emergency Department. One of the new rooms will be equipped with labor and delivery equipment for emergency births on the Island.
The hospital is coordinating with nearby facilities to ensure smooth transfers for deliveries.
Plans are in place for MDI Hospital’s emergency care staff to rotate through partner hospitals to maintain their labor and delivery competencies.
A new program under exploration would guide expectant mothers through prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care—offering personalized support and care coordination.
“We are committed to doing all we can to support mothers and families,” said Maguire. “With new supportive maternal health services, specialized emergency providers, and a unit ready for urgent deliveries, this difficult transition will not deter us from our mission to deliver compassionate, community-focused care.”
However, the Maine State Nurses Association urged the hospital to keep the unit open.
“Our union stands with the dedicated OB nurses at MDIH and condemns this closure in the strongest possible terms,” said Cokie Giles, RN and president of the Maine State Nurses Association (MSNA). “This is an abject failure by the hospital’s administration, particularly CEO Chrissi Maguire. For the good of this community and of our state, MDIH’s OB department must remain open.”
The hospital said the labor and delivery unit will close on July 1.
