The Baker City, Oregon maternity center closed because births had fallen to just 1.5 per week (as of 2023). It was very expensive to keep trained staff on call for limited utilization.
This was discussed in September 2023: Demographics: Baker City, Oregon birth unit closes – Coldstreams
In the above, newer article, the state proposed a mobile birthing center service – but mandated that it must perform abortion services too which is not something the local community wanted to have.
It is not financially viable to have “Big City” services for very small populations.
