Sarasota Memorial Opens New Pregnancy and Wellness Center Amid Florida's Maternity Care Crisis
Business
SRQ DAILY THURSDAY FAMILY AND RECREATION EDITION
THURSDAY FEB 5, 2026 |
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH) opened a new Pregnancy and Wellness Center this week to ensure that every expecting mother, regardless of her medical or financial circumstances, has access to compassionate support and expert prenatal care. High-risk and underinsured patients, in particular, often struggle to find appropriate medical support during pregnancy. The center is designed to help close the gap, as a nationwide shortage of obstetricians delivering babies deepens, and hospitals increasingly close their labor and delivery (L&D) units due to financial strains and staffing issues. Reports indicate that as many as 86% of rural Florida hospitals have stopped delivering babies, creating "maternity care deserts" and forcing women to travel long distances for care, which increases health risks.
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