RICE LAKE, Wis. (WJMC) — Staffing shortages are partly to blame for Marshfield Medical Center’s decision to pause labor and delivery services in Rice Lake.
Sen. Romaine Quinn says this is a problem he hopes will be solved with legislation he’s worked on.
“Earlier this year, I introduced legislation to expand and enhance graduate medical education programs in rural hospitals to train more physicians,” Quinn said. The bill, which was signed into law as Wisconsin Act 185 last March, will allow more medical students to complete their residency in Wisconsin. When given that opportunity, they then tend to stay in Wisconsin for their professional careers.”
Marshfield has moved more staff to the Eau Claire obstetrics unit, a ripple effect of the closure last month of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, and Prevea Health clinics throughout the area.
Marshfield will still offer prenatal and postpartum services in Rice Lake.