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WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) today released a statement strongly opposing the proposed closure of the Burdett Birth Center, following a public forum last night hosted by St. Peter’s Health Partners.

“The closing of Burdett Birth Center would be a devastating loss for our entire community and, undoubtedly, would most severely impact already underserved populations by slashing access to maternity care for families across Rensselaer County and our Capital Region.

“I am all too aware of the economic strains many of our region’s hospitals have faced in recent years. That’s why I’ve worked to deliver for our local hospitals, healthcare workers, and the communities they serve, through funding to offset COVID-related expenses and through my efforts to right a longstanding wrong that has long deprived our region’s healthcare system of critically needed federal dollars. Last year, I championed the fix of that unjust calculation, known as the Medicare Wage Index, or MWI, that decides federal Medicare reimbursement rates for hospitals. I was determined to secure this win for our region. With the new adjustment, this massive funding boost will deliver upwards of $190 million to our local hospitals each year.

“I and many others have worked hard to ensure our hospitals have the funding, staff, and support to best care for our communities. So, following this vital and historic influx of funding, the fact that this proposal now seeks to close the doors of the only maternity ward in Rensselaer County is unacceptable. We should be working now to support our incredible local healthcare staff, and to shore up and expand quality, accessible care for our communities, not further stripping it away. I’ve expressed those concerns with St. Peter’s and Trinity Health on numerous occasions over the past several months.

“Trinity Health’s written mission statement is to “serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities.” I and countless others in my district call on leadership at Trinity to honor their mission, to remain that “healing presence” in our community, and to keep this essential center open.

“Since this proposal to close Burdett was announced, I have been in awe of the rallying power of the public in raising their voices in opposition to this unjust outcome. I ask that their voices now, at last, be taken into account. This center is a critical resource to the community, the only one of its kind. We cannot afford to lose it.”