To the editor:

I was shocked to see our local tax supported hospital has adopted a policy to no longer deliver babies after Oct. 12, 2018. I hope they reconsider their decision. Our local hospital is owned by the citizens of Hamilton County. Every taxpayer in Hamilton County is taxed to support our local hospital. Delivering babies is a basic medical service. Most young couples have babies. Parents have the right to select the doctor of their choice and the hospital of their choice. Our community needs a local hospital that provides the basic services that Hamilton County taxpayers need and expect.

For our local hospital to collect taxes from every taxpayer in the county and then to not provide baby delivery is taxation without services. If someone in Hamilton County prefers to have their baby at our local hospital, our local tax supported hospital should provide this service.

Our local hospital is over a $30 million community investment and for our hospital to say don’t have your baby in our hospital is an insult to the taxpayers of Hamilton County. Why drive business out of the county when you should continue to provide this service locally? Our hospital needs to take another look at this decision and do so prior to Oct. 12, 2018. Don’t have your baby in our hospital is not the answer. We have the newest and most modern hospital in this area.

Bob Van Diest

Webster City