A pregnant Lincoln County woman is suing to block a vote to close the labor and delivery unit at Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta.
MaineHealth, parent company of the midcoast hospital, is scheduled to vote Thursday on closing the maternity ward, according to multiple media reports.
MaineHealth has said staff shortages and low birth rates led the health system to consider the closure.
The threat of losing Lincoln County’s only center for labor and delivery services has sparked protests attended by Maine gubernatorial candidates Hannah Pingree and Rick Bennett, and U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson, among other politicians.
If the board votes to close Lincoln Hospital’s birthing unit, it would be the 12th in the state to close in the last decade, according to WGME.
