Chestnut Hill Health System

Yet another Philadelphia hospital has announced the closing of its maternity unit. Citing financial stresses, Chestnut Hill Hospital said that it would stop delivering babies soon and close its maternity unit. Seventy hospital employees will lose their jobs. Since 1997, 15 hospitals in the region have closed their maternity units. Most say the combination of high malpractice insurance and low insurance reimbursements makes the service a money loser. With Chestnut Hill's unit closed, only seven hospitals in Philadelphia will offer obstetrical care. Chestnut Hill Hospital is part of the for-profit Community Health Systems Inc. chain. The University of Pennsylvania Health System owns a 15 percent stake in it.