Rural Hospitals Close Maternity Wards, Expanding Maternal Care Deserts Across US

Rural hospitals across the United States are increasingly closing their labor and delivery units, creating maternal care deserts that severely limit access to essential maternal healthcare. This trend is evident in states like Texas, Indiana, South Dakota, and even in rural North Korea, where geographical barriers and lack of resources exacerbate risks for pregnant women. In Texas, over half of rural hospitals no longer provide birthing services, with 47% of counties classified as maternity care deserts, while Indiana faces systemic barriers including insurance issues and racial disparities contributing to its high maternal mortality rate. South Dakota experiences similar challenges, with a high percentage of counties lacking birthing facilities and rural patients forced to travel long distances under stressful conditions, sometimes risking delivery en route. These closures are driven by financial struggles, staffing shortages, and potential Medicaid cuts, with rural residents facing increased risk of complications and death due to limited local care options. Efforts to mitigate these issues include community pushback, grant-funded initiatives, and culturally competent care programs, but the problem remains critical for rural maternal health nationwide.