End of Obstetric Services at Roseland
Roseland Community Hospital will halt its labor and delivery services by the month’s end. This marks another reduction in obstetric care in the South Side. The hospital’s leadership did not make this decision lightly. Tim Egan, President and CEO, stated that ongoing underfunding of safety-net hospitals has made service sustainability impossible.
“It is the result of decades of historical underfunding of safety-net hospitals that have made it impossible to sustain services that this community depends on and deserves,” said Egan.
Egan expressed concerns about the wider impact, highlighting the increased travel and wait times for community women seeking obstetric care. The hospital had maintained 17 obstetric/gynecology beds and reported 107 births in 2025, according to the Health Facilities and Services Review Board.
Challenges Facing Safety-Net Hospitals
Roseland, like many safety-net hospitals in Chicago, has consistently faced financial struggles. Earlier this year, delayed Medicaid payments exacerbated payroll challenges. Safety-net hospitals typically serve a high number of Medicaid patients, but Medicaid payments often fall short of covering full care costs.
“Safety-net hospitals treat large numbers of people on Medicaid, a state and federally-funded health insurance program for people with low incomes and disabilities,” Egan noted.
In 2025, Medicaid accounted for about 51% of Roseland’s inpatient revenue. Additionally, these hospitals often contend with aging infrastructure and rising costs for essential supplies and personnel.
Impact on Maternal Health
The cessation of obstetric units in the South Side aggravates existing health disparities, especially for Black women. Since 2019, at least three South Side hospitals have closed their obstetric units, worsening access to care. A state health department report revealed that Black women faced significantly higher risks of pregnancy-related complications compared to white women between 2018 and 2020.
“Maternal mortality rates here are already too high,” Egan warned. “This will make them worse.”
In 2025, about 89% of Roseland’s patients were Black, highlighting the deeper implications of these service cutbacks.
Broader Trends in Obstetric Care
The changes at Roseland align with a broader trend across state hospitals, which cite declining patient numbers and demographic shifts. Some opt to centralize services at major birthing centers. Recently, Prime Healthcare announced it will suspend obstetric care at three Illinois hospitals, opting instead to centralize services.
This decision has faced criticism from the Illinois Nurses Association, which raised concerns about the reduction of vital community services.