Two future birth centers in Worcester and Boston have secured state funding to help cover the costs of opening their freestanding facilities, which offer an alternative care setting for lower-risk pregnancies.
The Healey administration on Friday said it distributed $1 million in grants to Worcester Community Midwifery, Neighborhood Birth Center in Roxbury, and Seven Sisters Midwifery Birth Center in Northampton, which is currently the only such facility in Massachusetts. A new maternal health law removes barriers for operating birth centers, seen as a critical care option to tackle the worsening health outcomes that disproportionately affect people of color.
“Every birthing person’s journey is unique, and their care options should reflect that diversity,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said. “Birth centers offer valuable alternatives to those who are not comfortable in or face challenges with traditional healthcare settings, ranging from lack of transportation to stigma and fear to the need for culturally affirming care. By investing in birth centers, we are creating a more inclusive, accessible maternal health care system for all.”
In Worcester, the money will help the group refurbish a building and buy equipment for the birth center, which will be led by certified nurse-midwives, Healey’s office said. In Roxbury, the funding will cover building costs, and the center is poised to serve “local families in a model grounded in reproductive and racial justice.” And in western Massachusetts, Seven Sisters will use the grant to continue caring for families.
“Equitable, high-quality maternal health care, sadly, has not been a reality for far too many Massachusetts residents, especially in communities of color and in rural communities,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh said. “This funding opens the door for more reproductive choices for residents.”
