Maternity care services will remain in place at the Burdett Birth Center at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, thanks to state funding announced by hospital and public officials Monday afternoon.

St. Peter's Health Partners has withdrawn its plan to transition the services after it received word that state Assemblyman John McDonald and other legislators had secured $1 million a year for five years to help the birthing center maintain deliveries while it seeks a permanent solution, Dr. Steven Hanks, president and CEO of St. Peter’s Health Partners and St. Joseph’s Health, announced.

The Samaritan board voted unanimously Friday to rescind its decision to transition deliveries, a move the state Health Department had been reviewing, officials said Monday.

“The state Department of Health took our community’s concerns seriously, and investigated SPHP’s claims that they could close Burdett Birth Center without harm to the people who have relied on it for safe, compassionate and patient-centered maternity care,” said Jessica Hayek, an organizer with Save Burdett Birth Center Coalition.

The planned closure of the birth center drew opposition from area families and elected officials. 

“We rejoice that the community’s concerns and outrage about closing Burdett have been heard, and funding has been secured to keep Burdett open for another five years,” said Ashley Saupp, an organizer with Save Burdett Birth Center Coalition.

The funding does not guarantee the center will stay open after the five-year period of funding.

The Troy Area Labor Council released a statement saying, "This victory would not have been possible without the organizing efforts of parents, nurses, birthworkers, labor unions, and community organizations who made up the Save Burdett Coalition."