By Roger Alford
The Associated Press

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Mothers-to-be may have to go elsewhere to deliver their babies after July 1 because physicians here say they can no longer afford the skyrocketing cost of malpractice insurance premiums.

Dr. Steve Toadvine stopped working in the obstetrics unit at Knox County Hospital last year because of the escalating premiums. Four of his colleagues plan to follow suit in less than two months.

The hospital would be the second in eastern Kentucky at which physicians stopped delivering babies this year because of the escalating costs of malpractice insurance. Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Russell closed its obstetrics unit in January.

"We did not anticipate making this decision," said Dr. Steve Sartori, one of a group of nine physicians who deliver babies in Barbourville and Corbin.

"This was driven by a rate increase on our liability insurance contract."

Danny Garrett, administrator of the Barbourville hospital, said patients will be redirected to other hospitals in the region. About 200 babies are born at the hospital each year.

Expectant mothers are horrified, said Ingrid Washington, whose baby is due June 30.

"If I go past my due date, it will be someone I don't know delivering my baby," she said. "To have to see someone new at the last moment is just horrible. You develop a close bond with your doctor, almost like family. You don't want a stranger."