2,400 Sign Petition Opposing Hospital Midwife Cuts: Patch PM

HYANNIS, MA — Today is Friday, Nov. 6. Here's what Patch has been covering south of Boston and on Cape Cod and the Islands.

More than 2,400 people have signed a petition calling for Cape Cod Healthcare to reverse course on cutting hours at its midwifery program in half.

Petition organizer Katherine Kuusela, of Falmouth, said local women's health advocates will reach out to elected officials and pursue legislation if Cape Cod Healthcare follows through with the cuts expected to be enacted Nov. 16. She said the cuts launched "a clear attack on vital services benefiting women on Cape Cod." As of Friday afternoon, 2,428 people have signed the online petition.

But Cape Cod Healthcare CEO Michael Lauf last week defended the decision and said cuts to its midwifery program do not eliminate services for expectant mothers but are part of a realignment to expand maternity services at the hospital.

Read the full story here.

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