ANAHEIM : Hospital to Launch Birth Facility, Clinic

Western Medical Center-Anaheim is scheduled to break ground today on a 14-bed birth facility and clinic that officials hope will help meet the growing need for prenatal and postnatal care in the county.

Citing the increase in low-income patients turned away by some hospitals, Western Medical Center officials said they hope to help some of those mothers who are not receiving adequate care.

“In the area, a lot of facilities have negotiated themselves out of their Medi-Cal contracts,” said Donna D. Wolf, marketing director at the hospital. “In this day and age, when people are looking to detract this type of patient, we’re trying to attract them.”

The $5-million center has been in the planning stages for almost two years and is being financed with $1.3 million in federal funds and matching corporate grants. The hospital has established a foundation and plans to host a fund-raiser later this month to raise additional money needed to build the center.

The facility is to serve about 2,000 women a year, including short-term deliveries, deliveries requiring more than a 24-hour stay and emergency Cesarean operations. The hospital will also open a clinic across the street to meet the growing need among low-income women.

Officials hope to open the new wing next year.