Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik today released the following statement following the announcement that Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone will permanently halt planned deliveries of babies in their Family Maternity Center.
“Today’s announcement is devastating to North Country families, who will now be forced to drive an extra hour to have their babies. In the face of this loss of a critical component of care, supporting our healthcare workers and preventing staffing shortages that have been exacerbated by harmful vaccine mandates could not be more important. I will continue to advocate for our rural communities to have access to the healthcare services they need.”
The closest hospitals to Alice Hyde with maternity units are Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh, which is over 50 miles and approximately an hour drive away, and Canton-Potsdam Hospital, which is approximately 40 miles away and an over 45-minute drive.
Stefanik has been a strong
advocate against all vaccine mandates, especially on healthcare workers, which have exacerbated staffing shortages.
