Maternity Care Deserts Persist as Hospital Closures and Policy Shifts Worsen Access Crisis
Event summary
- 34.6% of U.S. counties remain maternity care deserts, affecting 2.4 million women and 149,000 infants annually.
- 96 labor and delivery unit closures recorded across 35 states since January 2024, increasing travel times by an average of 25 minutes in affected communities.
- About 1 in 9 women of reproductive age are uninsured nationally, with the highest rates in the South, rural areas, and maternity care deserts.
- March of Dimes is expanding mobile health centers and doula services to bridge care gaps.
The big picture
The persistent gaps in maternity care access highlight a fragile healthcare system threatened by hospital closures and policy shifts. March of Dimes' report underscores the need for coordinated action to address these disparities, particularly in rural areas where clinician shortages are most severe. The organization's initiatives, including mobile health centers and doula services, aim to bridge critical gaps but face significant challenges in scaling solutions.
What we're watching
- Policy Impact
- Whether federal and state legislation, such as the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, can mitigate maternity care deserts.
- Healthcare Access
- The pace at which mobile health centers and doula services expand to underserved communities.
- Insurance Coverage
- How uninsured rates among women of reproductive age evolve, particularly in states that have not expanded Medicaid.