Rural Maternal Health
Maternal health is a critical issue, especially in rural communities. Access to consistent maternity care, reproductive services, and postpartum support are some of the issues rural women face. Rural counties that are socioeconomically disadvantaged and experience other health disparities see higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. Many rural communities not only experience a lack of specialists in OB and women’s and infant health, but also face the struggle of increased obstetrics and birthing unit closures at local clinics and hospitals in their communities. We encourage you to utilize the following advocacy materials and external resources when you are advocating for rural maternal health.
- Statement for the Record on House Ways and Means hearing on the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program - July 2026
- HRSA's Updated Criteria for Determining Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas - March 2026
- Comment on Extension of Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) - January 2026
- Letter to Congress: Request for Information – Healthy Moms and Babies Act - August 2025
- FY 2024 Medicare IPPS for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System - 2023
- HRSA proposed criteria for determining Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas (MCTA) - 2021