Obstetric units in rural hospitals are shuttering at alarming rates, leaving expectant mothers across the country without adequate access to care during one of the most tender times of life.
In fact, the March of Dimes estimates more than half of all counties lack hospitals that provide obstetric services outside of emergencies. These “maternity care deserts” are increasing, so much so that more than 5.5 million women live in counties with limited or no maternal services.
Federal Funds to Support Local Health Care
But federal support could help stem the tide of closures, providing a lifeline to hospitals and the communities they serve.
The bipartisan Keep Obstetrics Local Act would provide federal funding to keep rural labor and delivery wards running. The bill could be the vehicle to bridge financial gaps and sustain critical access to maternity care in underserved areas.
Most Affected Areas
Federal estimates show the loss of services is more severe in low-income areas. A double problem because those are the exact areas that are associated with higher rates of premature birth. And it’s not just a problem for prenatal and delivery care. Women in underserved regions must travel farther for postpartum care as well. The burden affects the continuum of care across the entire pregnancy.
A different impact assessment from researchers at Harvard found maternity ward closures have had a disproportionate impact on communities of color, “further exacerbating the already high health risks Black and Hispanic women face when giving birth.”
Financial Strain: A Key Factor
Lower birth rates have even forced some city-based facilities to consolidate obstetric services because there isn’t enough need to justify the highly skilled medical force necessary to sustain. The situation in rural communities is even more strained.
That pressure is compounded by low rates of insurance reimbursement for obstetric services, including by public insurance. Medicaid programs are the payor for about 40% of births. And while the programs provide crucial coverage for women who might otherwise go without, the low reimbursement rates pinch facilities.
Legislative Action Can Bolster Federal Efforts
The Biden-Harris White House has made bold commitments aimed at improving health outcomes for pregnant women and their new arrivals.
By passing the Keep Obstetrics Local Act, Congress has the opportunity to further support these efforts. Without action, however, maternal care deserts will continue to expand, putting even more families at risk.
