Proposed Solutions for Improving Maternal Health Care in Rural America

Increasing hospital and labor & delivery (L&D) closures have led to declining access to hospital obstetric care in rural areas across the country. These closures increase the burden on women and families living in rural communities, who often must drive long distances for prenatal visits and delivery. The lack of maternal health care in rural America can also result in several adverse maternal and infant outcomes including premature birth, low birth weight, out of hospital births, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, and increased risk of postpartum depression. The reasons for these closures are multifactorial, and include, workforce shortages, financial viability, low volume of patients, concerns over maintaining the knowledge base and skill sets of the obstetrical health care team required to provide high quality and safe care, as well as medical-legal concerns. The problems of providing and accessing quality maternal and obstetrical care in rural America have not happened overnight, Likewise, the solutions to these problems will also not occur overnight and must also address the multifactorial nature of the problem. However, there are several opportunities to improve access to maternal health care in rural communities. Programs, policies, and funding need to be designed and provided to make these opportunities a reality.