MercyOne officials recently learned they will need to get state approval for a new $13 million maternity center planned to open this fall at its West Des Moines medical center. Until recently, MercyOne officials had believed that a "certificate of need" from the State Health Facilities Council would not be required because a maternity center had previously been located at MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center before the unit was shut down in August 2016. However, a newer provision in the state statute now requires that a certificate of need be applied for if a unit has been closed for more than 12 months, said Laura Vanden Bosch, director of public relations and marketing for MercyOne Des Moines. Vanden Bosch said hospital officials are confident that their application will be well-received. "We think we have a pretty strong case for it," she said. MercyOne plans to file an application with the health facilities council by the March 18 deadline for the council’s May meeting. Read more in a Business Record article about the project.