Maternity Wards

The Monadnock Birth Center, which opened in 2008, closed permanently in December.

“We shouldn't have to live in an urban area to receive the highest level of evidence-based care,” says one healthcare worker involved in the project.

The bill also instructs the state Insurance Department to examine barriers to sustainability for New Hampshire maternity wards.

Closures of labor and delivery units across New Hampshire have sparked concerns about access. State officials are trying to shore up funding for those services.

Since 2000, nine hospitals in New Hampshire have closed labor and delivery units. Four of those have been in the Upper Valley. But as NHPR's Daniela Allee…

Earlier this year, Lakes Region General Hospital closed its labor and delivery unit, citing a declining number of deliveries. Now some women in labor may…