Wishard Hospital cancels agreement with state prison's pregnant inmates
Hospital officials cite declining Medicare funds
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 09/17/2012
Last Updated:
274 days ago
ANDERSON, Ind. -
Expectant mothers at the Indiana Women's Prison in Indianapolis will begin delivering babies in Anderson after an Indianapolis hospital canceled its agreement to be the prison's primary care provider.
Saint John's Medical Center will replace Wishard Memorial Hospital as the new primary care provider for pregnant inmates, The Herald-Bulletin reported.
Saint John's is about an hour from the prison. Hospital President Tom VanOsdol said most of the inmates are scheduled for delivery and that labor is induced once they arrive.
Inmates in active labor will still be taken to an Indianapolis hospital.
VanOsdol estimates the hospital will see about five women a month. Each inmate will be accompanied by two correctional officers.
Wishard cited declining Medicare reimbursements in canceling the deal.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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