In a shocking decision, West Suburban Medical Center has announced it will terminate its longstanding collaboration with midwives and family medicine physicians, citing concerns about potential challenges in securing liability insurance. This abrupt policy change, which takes effect next week, will prevent these highly regarded providers from delivering babies at the hospital, marking the end of a significant healthcare partnership.
The unexpected revelation on Monday has ignited outrage among midwives and family medicine providers from PCC Community Wellness Center, a team that has been integral to the birthing experience at West Suburban for over 20 years. Together, they have created a welcoming environment for expectant parents seeking holistic birthing options that emphasize minimal medical intervention. Primarily serving low-income Black and Latino communities on the West Side, PCC’s midwifery services have attracted women from various regions, demonstrating their reputation for compassionate and culturally competent care.
Annette Payot, who has dedicated 15 years to midwifery at PCC, expressed her concern that PCC providers are responsible for the majority of births at West Suburban. “We are heartbroken and infuriated for our patients,” Payot lamented, underscoring the emotional toll this decision will have on the families they serve and highlighting the urgent need to determine whether this radical move is legally justified.
She passionately criticized the potential narrowing of birthing options for communities of color amidst a national focus on the alarming rates of maternal mortality, particularly affecting Black women. As studies reveal that individuals in close proximity to West Suburban have some of the most limited access to maternal health care services in the region, the implications of this decision will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
“It feels like the end of an era,” Payot remarked, reflecting on the irony of this announcement coming at a time when discussions surrounding birth equity and maternal health are gaining traction and visibility. “There’s money flowing in that direction finally in a really real way. And at the same time, things like this are happening that we can’t really do much about. It just makes you feel really powerless.”
Research consistently indicates that midwives are associated with reduced rates of C-sections and improved outcomes for both parents and newborns. However, West Suburban continues a troubling trend seen across the Chicago area, where several hospitals are retreating from or failing to invest in midwifery care options.
Payot revealed that the PCC staff learned about the decision to revoke midwifery and family medicine physicians’ delivery privileges through personal phone calls and an abrupt email, while the existing team of OB/GYNs will maintain their ability to deliver. This communication has left many questioning the transparency of the decision-making process.
A letter obtained by WBEZ, authored by West Suburban’s CEO Dr. Manoj Prasad, revealed that the hospital’s insurance brokers cautioned that maintaining current labor and delivery practices would likely hinder the hospital’s ability to secure professional liability insurance. “Prudence demands that (West Suburban) act immediately to mitigate the risk of losing coverage for the entire hospital altogether,” Prasad stated in his correspondence with Dr. Paul Luning, chief medical officer at PCC and medical staff president at West Suburban.
In his letter, Prasad emphasized that only OB/GYN residency-trained physicians would be granted delivery privileges going forward. Attempts to reach Prasad for comment have gone unanswered, raising further concerns about the hospital’s commitment to transparency and dialogue with community providers.
Payot revealed that PCC possesses its own medical malpractice insurance, leading many providers at the organization to cast doubt on Prasad’s justification for this drastic measure. They contend that he has yet to present any documentation verifying the claims made regarding the delivery restrictions.
In a subsequent communication to hospital staff, Prasad announced plans for two new OB-GYN clinics, while notably omitting any reference to PCC or its longstanding association with West Suburban. Once established in 1980 with just a three-room clinic, PCC has become an integral part of West Suburban, not only facilitating the majority of births but also playing a pivotal role in the training of resident doctors.
Dr. Morgan Madison, a family medicine physician at PCC who has delivered babies at West Suburban for nearly a decade, shared her personal connection to the PCC midwives, who assisted in the birth of her own child. “The focus right now of all of us is just what can we do for this community to ensure that there are still a diverse amount of birthing options available,” Madison asserted, expressing concern for the historically marginalized community that may see this decision as yet another barrier to accessible healthcare.
Payot characterized the dynamic between PCC providers and Prasad as “challenging,” particularly since he acquired the hospital in 2022. Under Prasad’s ownership, residents have reported a noticeable decline in the hospital’s conditions, such as malfunctioning elevators and air conditioning, creating frustrating and potentially unsafe environments for patients.
On Wednesday, a group of eight midwives met in the parking garage outside West Suburban, sharing donuts and coffee as they mourned the impactful loss to their community. Together, they reflected on the many patients they serve, including recent migrants and those without health insurance. For these midwives, West Suburban is more than just a hospital; it is their home.
“A lot of people when they think of midwives, they think of like the crunchy granolas, who are like, you know, like higher health literacy, better off, and we’re providing care for people who don’t have those opportunities,” explained Mary Leung, a PCC midwife, articulating the unique role they play in the community. “It’s a tragedy.”
The midwives then initiated the difficult process of collecting items they’d contributed to the hospital over the years, including books, furniture, and plants, as they strategized on how to swiftly connect with patients and continue providing care in the lead-up to their departure from West Suburban on November 29.
Low-risk patients without medical complications may now choose to deliver at PCC’s birth center in Berwyn or alternatively can deliver at West Suburban with a PCC obstetrician. A few PCC providers have also gained privileges to deliver babies at Ascension Saint Mary Hospital, located in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood, offering limited alternatives but highlighting the challenges ahead.
Kristen Schorsch covers public health and Cook County for WBEZ.
What steps is PCC Community Wellness Center taking to ensure continued access to culturally competent midwifery care following this decision?
**Interview with Annette Payot, Midwife at PCC Community Wellness Center**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Annette. Your team at PCC has been providing midwifery services at West Suburban for over two decades. Can you start by sharing your initial reaction to the recent announcement regarding the termination of your collaboration with West Suburban Medical Center?
**Annette Payot:** Thank you for having me. I can’t express how heartbroken and infuriated we are about this decision. It feels like we’re being stripped of our ability to provide essential care to our patients. The emotional toll this is going to have on our families cannot be overstated, and it raises serious concerns about access to care for low-income communities of color.
**Interviewer:** You’ve mentioned the potential impact this decision will have on birthing options for marginalized communities. Could you elaborate on that?
**Annette Payot:** Absolutely. Black women have historically faced alarming rates of maternal mortality, and now with this decision, we’re witnessing the further narrowing of birthing options right when we’re starting to see some positive momentum toward birth equity. Areas around West Suburban already have limited access to maternal health services, and this could exacerbate those barriers, pushing vulnerable populations further away from necessary care.
**Interviewer:** It seems that there has been a lack of transparency in this decision-making process. Can you tell us about how you and your colleagues learned about the changes?
**Annette Payot:** We found out through abrupt personal phone calls and emails. It felt very disheartening, especially since we have dedicated so much to our patients over the years. Meanwhile, the OB/GYNs will still have their privileges, which raises many questions about the criteria for decision-making and the lack of dialog with us, the community providers.
**Interviewer:** In a letter from West Suburban’s CEO, he cited concerns from insurance brokers regarding liability. How have you and your colleagues responded to this claim?
**Annette Payot:** Many of us are skeptical because PCC has its own malpractice insurance. We don’t believe the justification has been adequately documented, and Dr. Prasad has yet to provide the necessary evidence that supports their decision. This raises doubts about whether this move is genuinely about patient safety or just financial concerns.
**Interviewer:** What do you think the future holds for the communities you serve in light of these changes?
**Annette Payot:** It’s a real concern. The primary focus for all of us at PCC now is finding ways to ensure that our community still has access to a diverse array of birthing options. We cannot let this decision dismantle the holistic and culturally competent care we’ve worked so hard to provide. It truly feels like the end of an era, but we’re committed to advocating for our patients and finding a path forward.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Annette, for your insights and for the critical work you do at PCC. We hope to see positive developments for your community in the future.
**Annette Payot:** Thank you for shedding light on this issue. It’s important that we keep the conversation going.