Congressman Bentz Raises Baker City's Lost Obstetrics Unit in Congress

From Congressman Cliff Bentz’s “Bentz Briefing,” September 26, 2026:

Baker City Hospital has lost its obstetrics department, and rural obstetric units across the country are facing hardships and shutting down. That is why I have joined in co-sponsoring H.R. 1254, the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act.

If enacted, this bill would provide grants for obstetric care training, equipment, and telehealth programs for obstetrics units in rural areas and will authorize a study on rural maternity ward closures—such as is the case in Baker City.

The video on this page is the Congressman’s exchange with Dr. Eilean Attwood at the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee hearing on this bill, including his mention of Baker City.

Also from the briefing — Service Academy nominations: for those who wish to apply for Fall 2027 admission, the deadline is October 30, 2026, and applications will not reopen until May of next year. Information and applications: bentz.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations