Health
Bipartisan coalition saves Troy birthing center after hospital operator reverses closure decision
Trinity Health agreed to keep the Burdett Birth Center open following community protests, a state investigation, and $5 million in secured funding.
The short version
- Trinity Health reversed its plan to close the Burdett Birth Center at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, New York, nearly a year after announcing the closure due to financial losses.
- A coalition of community members, healthcare workers, local activists, and politicians from both major parties campaigned to keep the city's last remaining maternity unit open.
- The campaign was supported by an investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James and $5 million in state funding secured by lawmakers.
Key facts
- Trinity Health announced plans to close the Burdett Birth Center at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, New York, citing financial losses.[NPR]
- Burdett is Troy's last remaining hospital birthing center, where C-section rates averaged about 25 percent in 2025 compared to roughly one-third statewide.[NPR]
- A community survey organized by local activists found that 25 percent of Troy residents lacked access to a car to travel to alternative facilities in Albany.[NPR]
- New York Attorney General Letitia James opened an investigation and held a hearing in Troy regarding the planned closure.[NPR]
- State lawmakers obtained $5 million in state funding to support keeping the birth center operational.[NPR]
- Trinity Health eventually abandoned its closure plans and agreed to keep the center open nearly a year after its original announcement.[NPR]