What It Took for RRH to Bring Back Maternity – Behind the Scenes
In summary, it took a village. And good leadership.
Since the maternity ward’s closure in March 2024, Ridgecrest has faced the harsh reality of becoming a “maternity desert,” leaving pregnant women in our town forced to make daunting trips of up to 90 miles to deliver babies, or see a doctor. Earlier this week, Ridgecrest Regional Hospital announced that the maternity service will return in Dec 2024.
This victory, however, didn’t come without an immense amount of behind-the-scenes effort. It took dedication from key players, the support of China Lake Naval Base, and tireless advocacy from our hospital leaders to turn things around.
It Took a Village
The reopening of RRH’s maternity services was the result of a coordinated effort by many different individuals and organizations. This success is not the result of any one person’s work—it took a village, and it took great leadership.
The most pivotal contributors were the Admiral Keith Hash and his team at China Lake Naval Base, along with the hospital leadership and state officials. The base showed a deep commitment to the Ridgecrest community, stepping in at a critical time to help secure the necessary support to bring back these vital services. Their advocacy was key in ensuring that Ridgecrest would not remain a maternity desert.
James Suver, CEO of RRH, and his team were instrumental in their effort. Faced with financial challenges and the logistical hurdles of reopening such a vital service, Suver led the hospital through a difficult process with determination and resilience. Alongside Admiral Hash, state senator Shannon Grove, senator Padilla, and senator Butler were heavily involved in securing support for RRH, demonstrating the true meaning of collaboration between healthcare, military, and government leaders.
Advocacy from the Pentagon to the Senate
This success didn’t just happen within the walls of the hospital. The efforts to reopen Labor and Delivery services extended far beyond Ridgecrest, including advocacy that took place in the halls of power in Washington, D.C. Over the course of tla few intense days, RRH’s leadership participated in over 15 meetings, traveling from the Pentagon to the Senate to advocate for Ridgecrest’s needs.
These meetings were focused on one essential issue: how “on-call” services like maternity and emergency care should be funded in a military community that includes over 6,000 civilian employees of the Department of Defense.
“We knew that any solution needed to address both the immediate crisis and lay the groundwork for long-term sustainability,” said Suver. “I’m incredibly grateful that our voices were heard, and that leaders at the Pentagon and in Congress were willing to work with us not just to correct this emergency but to discuss the long term sustainability of these services.”
This advocacy work proved essential in securing the temporary funding RRH needed to reopen its Labor and Delivery services. However, it’s important to understand that this funding is not an immediate influx of cash. As Suver explains, the hospital must earn this support by maintaining a high-quality obstetrics program.
“This is not a lump sum handed over to us all at once,” Suver emphasized. “It’s a cost-offset, and we must demonstrate that we can provide safe, effective care to continue receiving support. It’s an opportunity, but it’s also a responsibility.”
The Challenges We Overcame
The closure of Ridgecrest’s maternity services was not a decision made lightly. After years of underfunding, low reimbursement rates from payors, and increasing operational costs, coupled with a nationwide shortage of healthcare professionals, RRH could no longer sustain its Labor and Delivery unit. The hospital had been subsidizing millions of dollars annually just to keep the program afloat. Despite these efforts, the financial strain became too great, leading to the painful decision to close the ward in March 2024.
This closure left our community with limited options for expectant mothers, creating a “maternity desert” that forced women to travel long distances, often in critical situations, to access basic care. But thanks to the tireless work of many, Ridgecrest can now look forward to a brighter future.
A Collective Achievement
At its core, the reopening of Ridgecrest’s Labor and Delivery services is a testament to the power of collaboration. From Admiral Hash and his team at China Lake to state legislators and hospital leadership, it took a coordinated and determined effort to make this happen. This success belongs to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and put in the hard work when our community needed it most.
And of course, we can’t forget to thank our Assemblyman Vince Fong and Mayor Eric Bruen for their participation in the process. Their involvement is certainly appreciated as part of this collective achievement.
As Ridgecrest moves forward, the focus will remain on ensuring that these services continue to be available for years to come. The funding secured through the Department of the Navy is a temporary solution, but the groundwork laid through advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., has set the stage for long-term progress. With the continued support of our military and government partners, RRH is committed to keeping essential healthcare services like Labor and Delivery available to our community.
For more information about Ridgecrest Regional Hospital’s Labor and Delivery services, visit www.rrh.org/baby
