Saving Women’s Health Services: Community, Policy, and Corporate Actions

By Elizabeth Gardner

Across the United States, clinics and programs vital to women's health, from maternity wards and birth centers to Planned Parenthood and family-planning clinics, are under serious threat of budget cuts and closures.

Anti-abortion lawmakers and agencies have made defunding women’s health providers a priority. For example, Kaiser Family foundation researchers note that “defunding” Planned Parenthood has long been a Republican goal and is emphasized in conservative agendas like Project 2025. Multiple federal and state efforts are now underway to strip Medicaid and Title X funding from Planned Parenthood and related clinics. 

Simultaneously, community hospitals and rural health centers face financial strain (staff shortages, low Medicaid reimbursements and falling birth rates) that cause obstetric units to close: a recent report found that more than 100 rural hospitals shut down their labor-and delivery units since 2020. These trends jeopardize care for millions of women and families.

In this environment, grassroots organizing and political advocacy are crucial to prevent harmful cuts and closures. A local Rhode Island case shows how citizen pressure can turn the tide.

Newport Hospital’s Drexel Birthing Center (marked by the pink awning) is the only maternity ward on Aquidneck Island. https://turnto10.com/news/local/newport-community-will-hold-another-rally-in-support-of-birthing-center-july-29-2025 Community activism recently helped save it. Photo: NBC10/WJAR.

Newport Hospital’s Drexel Birthing Center (marked by the pink awning) is the only maternity ward on Aquidneck Island. https://turnto10.com/news/local/newport-community-will-hold-another-rally-in-support-of-birthing-center-july-29-2025 Community activism recently helped save it. Photo: NBC10/WJAR.

In July 2025, local news outlets reported that Brown University Health was considering closing the Noreen Stroner Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital for “budgetary reasons”. Nearly 500 babies were born in the center in 2024, yet leaders feared cuts could halt all local obstetric services.

Residents, nurses, doulas and elected officials immediately organized a public campaign. Dozens gathered at a city council meeting urging hospital executives to act, and a broad petition drive emerged. Newport’s city council and state legislators formally demanded the center to stay open. A Change.org petition (started by community members) rapidly collected thousands of signatures urging Brown health to “retain the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital”. They noted that closing the only Labor and Delivery unit on Aquidneck Island would leave many women facing “impossible choices,” with hours-long ambulance rides to distant hospitals risking emergency deliveries.

By the end of that week, hospital officials backed down.

Brown University Health announced the birthing center will “remain in the FY26 budget and is not currently scheduled to close”. They acknowledged forming a task force on labor-and-delivery services, but credited the public outcry.

As Newport nurse Rebecca Clarke told NBC10, she “can't imagine” delivering anywhere else, and was “thrilled that Brown has listened to the community”. This local victory prompts belief in how community organizing can defend women’s healthcare: a planned rally with state political support (including the House Speaker) celebrated the reprieve, and organizers vow to continue advocating for the center’s long-term future.

Why Women’s Health Centers Matter

Newport’s “cutting budgets” example is not unique. Across America, cutting women’s health funding has dangerous consequences.

Birthing centers and hospital Maternity wards provide pre-natal care, deliveries, and postpartum support. Studies show that when rural hospitals shut obstetrics units, mothers delay or skip prenatal care and sometimes end up giving birth in emergency rooms or en route to farther hospitals.

The result is more premature births and higher risk of complications. National data confirm this crisis: more than 36 states have lost at least one rural labor-and-delivery service since 2020, and on average two rural maternity units close per month. In the affected counties, women are significantly less likely to get adequate prenatal care or deliver full-term babies. The human cost is stark: statistics link these closures to rising preterm births (which carry higher mortality and disability rates).

Similarly, family-planning and sexual-health clinics (many run by Planned Parenthood and community health centers) are essential preventive-care hubs. According to KFF, one-third of Planned Parenthood’s revenue comes from public funding (Medicaid, federal and state grants) and goes to contraception, STI treatment, cancer screenings and more. Yet federal proposals threaten these funds: for example, a bill (H.R. 271, the “Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2025”) explicitly seeks to bar federal payments to Planned Parenthood for a year unless affiliates agree to stop providing abortion. Planned Parenthood argues such actions would drastically reduce services for millions of patients and could force many clinics to close. KFF analysts warn that excluding Planned Parenthood from Medicaid or Title X would hit low-income women hardest, since those clinics serve a large share of Medicaid recipients (up to 30% in some states). Defunding these providers does not eliminate healthcare needs; it simply cuts off access.

Cuts to Medicaid overall are also alarming. The Commonwealth Fund recently emphasized that “nearly 24 million women rely on Medicaid” for maternity care, cancer screenings, mental health treatment and more.

Proposals to impose work requirements or slash the federal match would “put the health and lives of nearly 24 million women at risk,” the Fund warns. With the U.S. already suffering the highest maternal mortality rate of any wealthy country, and even worse outcomes in rural and minority communities, any reduction in access spells danger for mothers and babies. Women’s health programs are not a luxury, they are a public-health necessity.

The good news is that grassroots action works. From small towns to big cities, people have organized to protect women’s clinics and funds. Below are practical ways anyone can help defend women’s health services:

  • Community Organizing: Join or start local groups that focus on reproductive and maternal health. This might include “Save the Clinic” campaigns or women’s health coalitions. Host or attend community forums, vigils, or rallies (like Newport’s moms did) to draw public attention. Use social media to spotlight proposed cuts or closures, and share personal stories (e.g. why a local birth center matters) to build empathy. Partner with allied groups (e.g. labor unions, health professionals’ associations, faith groups, racial justice organizations) to widen support. Organizers of Newport’s rally, “Moms Over Margins,” exemplify this approach: by framing the issue as one of community equity and public safety, they mobilized nurses, parents, and legislators.

  • Petitions and Letters: Whenever a proposed closure or budget cut is announced, start or sign petitions (online or on paper). For instance, a Change.org petition in Newport quickly garnered thousands of signatures urging hospital leaders to keep the birthing center open. Write letters or op-eds to local newspapers and blogs to explain how cuts would hurt real families (the Newport petition quotes mothers and doulas describing “impossible choices” without local care change.org). Reach out to public officials (governors, state health secretaries, hospital board members) with personal stories and data about why the service is essential.

  • Coalitions and Mutual Aid: Work with organizations that already help pregnant people and new parents. For example, volunteer with or donate to local birth center nonprofits or maternity support coalitions. Many communities have “birthing justice” groups that assist low-income or minority mothers; their on-the-ground insight can guide advocacy. Communities in places like Flint, MI and Camden, NJ have formed coalitions that successfully pressured hospitals to maintain maternity services. Sharing strategies and resources across cities can amplify impact.

  • Contact Your Representatives: Elected officials at every level influence funding and laws. Call or email your U.S. Congress members and state legislators to express support for women’s health programs. (Tip: you can reach any senator or representative via the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202‑224‑3121house.govsenate.gov.) Explain why you value services like Planned Parenthood or maternal care in your district. Urge them to oppose legislation that cuts funding (such as H.R. 271) and to support bills that expand women’s health funding (e.g. additional Medicaid support for rural hospitals). Planned Parenthood Action and other groups often provide sample call scripts or email templates to make this easier. Also, testify at state or local health committee meetings if possible, as Newport’s City Council meeting in July 2025 became a pivotal turning point.

  • Vote and Campaign: Elections matter. Support candidates who publicly defend women’s health services and oppose defunding measures. Encourage voter registration drives focused on women’s health issues. Share voting guides from organizations like NARAL (Reproductive Freedom for All) or Planned Parenthood that highlight candidates’ stances on healthcare. In close legislative races, even a few new votes can swing the balance on funding bills.

  • Engage Corporations: Businesses also have power. You can urge employers to provide robust maternal health benefits (e.g. paid parental leave, lactation support, insurance covering pre- and post-natal care). Mercer Consulting notes that when companies invest in women’s health, they see stronger workforces and economic gains Mercer.com; use these facts to persuade corporate leaders it’s good policy. Encourage companies to match employee donations to women’s health nonprofits (for example, many firms match gifts to Planned Parenthood and other clinics). Publicly recognize (or pressure) companies that quietly support anti-women’s-health policies; conversely, patronize businesses known for championing reproductive rights. After the 2022 abortion bans, some large employers pledged to cover travel for legal abortions. Consumers and employees can hold companies accountable to those promises.

  • Stay Informed and Share: Follow credible news and trustworthy nonprofits for updates. Knowledge is power: citing facts can reinforce your appeals. For example, KFF reports that excluding Planned Parenthood from Medicaid wouldn’t save much money but “would have disastrous effects” on low-income women who depend on those clinics kff.orgguttmacher.org. Likewise, the National Partnership points out that a recent Supreme Court ruling explicitly enables states to exclude Planned Parenthood from Medicaid, threatening clinics nationwide nationalpartnership.org. Use such data in social media posts or in communications with policymakers. Educate friends and neighbors about these issues; broader public awareness means more pressure for change.

National Actions and Resources

To multiply impact, consider aligning with established organizations and petitions:

  • Sign National Petitions and Alerts: Groups like Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL) run campaigns and petitions on issues like Medicaid protections and clinic funding. For example, Planned Parenthood often prompts supporters to sign petitions and text representatives (“Text CARE to 22422” to call Congress) when funding is at risk. Check their “Take Action” pages for current campaigns (e.g. Planned Parenthood Action, Reproductive Freedom for All) and add your name. You might also find local petitions (like Newport’s) on platforms like Change.org.

  • Advocacy Organizations: Support or volunteer with national and regional groups:
    • Planned Parenthood Federation of America – provides reproductive and preventive health services. (See plannedparenthood.org for health center locators and advocacy tools.)
    • Reproductive Freedom for All (NARAL) – lobbies for reproductive rights and offers “Take Action” toolkits.
    • National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) – assists people who need financial help getting abortions; they mobilize communities to expand access.
    • National Partnership for Women & Families – focuses on maternal health, paid leave and equity; their site (nationalpartnership.org) has data and action alerts.
    • Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, March of Dimes, ACNM and other health professional groups often advocate for maternal-care funding at the state and federal level.

  • Contacting Officials: Use official channels to raise issues. The U.S. House website (house.gov) lets you find your representatives and senators by ZIP code, and reminds us that the capitol switchboard at (202) 224‑3121 can connect calls to any member house.govsenate.gov. State legislatures often have “Find My Legislator” tools too.

  • Stay Organized: Many advocacy groups use social media and email newsletters to notify supporters. Subscribing to updates from KFF, Commonwealth Fund, or the Guttmacher Institute can keep you stay informed about looming policy changes. Some states have coalitions (e.g. “Women’s Health Day of Action”) that coordinates lobbying days.

By combining these efforts, on the street, in the voting booth, and in the boardrooms, citizens can push back against the cutting of women’s health resources.

The Newport campaign shows that when communities unite, they can force institutions to change course. As one rally speaker put it, “Budgets are always moral documents…And when budgets are balanced, it is always on the backs of women, children, and families” change.org. It’s up to all of us to lift that weight.

Helpful Resources and Contacts

Petitions & Take-Action Pages:

  • Save Newport Birthing Center: Change.org petition (Newport, RI): a model of grassroots demand
  • General Reproductive Rights: Planned Parenthood Action | Reproductive Freedom for All Take Action | National Partnership “Take Action”

Organizations:

  • Planned Parenthood Federation of America – health services and advocacy.
  • Reproductive Freedom for All (NARAL) – advocacy and legislative action.
  • National Network of Abortion Funds – support for patients and activism.
  • National Partnership for Women & Families – maternal health & policy.
  • March of Dimes – maternal and infant health.
  • Guttmacher Institute and KFF Women’s Health Policy – research and data.

Contact Info:

  • Congressional Switchboard: Call (202) 224‑3121 to reach any U.S. Senator or Representative house.govsenate.gov.
  • Find Your Legislator: Use House.gov’s “Find Your Representative” or your state legislature’s website to get office addresses, emails, and phone numbers.
  • Hospital/Birthing Center Administration: In cases like Newport, emailing or writing to hospital executives and local health system boards is effective. For instance, contacts at Brown Health (Dr. John Fernandez and Executive VP Sarah Frost) were publicized by the Newport group (e.g. via social media) so constituents could directly send appeals.
  • Allies & Coalitions: Look for community groups such as “Moms Over Margins” (Newport), local chapters of Physicians for Reproductive Health, or statewide maternity care coalitions. Join online networks or Facebook groups that rally support and share organizing tips (search terms like “save our clinic” or “maternal health coalition” in your state).

By educating ourselves and others, lifting our voices in public and in front of power, and holding institutions accountable (including businesses), we can make it harder for decision-makers to cut women’s health funding. Every call, petition, protest sign and donation sends a message: we value these services, and we won’t let our communities lose them.

Resources and Citations

  • https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/major-federal-and-state-funding-cuts-facing-planned-parenthood/ 
     https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/how-project-2025-seeks-obliterate-srhr
  • https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/17/expensive-and-complicated-most-rural-hospitals-no-longer-deliver-babies/#:~:text=Nationwide%2C%20most%20rural%20hospitals%20no%20longer%20have%20labor%20and%20delivery,they'll%20stop%20in%202025.
  • https://turnto10.com/news/local/newport-community-will-hold-another-rally-in-support-of-birthing-center-july-29-2025
  • https://www.change.org/p/retain-the-noreen-drexel-birthing-center-at-newport-hospital/u/33763694
  • https://turnto10.com/news/local/newport-community-will-hold-another-rally-in-support-of-birthing-center-july-29-2025
  • https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/17/expensive-and-complicated-most-rural-hospitals-no-longer-deliver-babies/#:~:text=Nationwide%2C%20most%20rural%20hospitals%20no%20longer%20have%20labor%20and%20delivery,they'll%20stop%20in%202025.
  • https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/major-federal-and-state-funding-cuts-facing-planned-parenthood/ 
  • https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/271 
  • https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/how-project-2025-seeks-obliterate-srhr
  • https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2025/medicaid-cuts-could-increase-maternal-mortality-and-jeopardize-womens-health
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