Recent Report: Rural Hospitals Cut Maternity Services Amid Financial Pressures

A recent report reveals that over half of rural hospitals in the United States no longer offer obstetric care, with 55% lacking labor and delivery services. Financial challenges, primarily stemming from insufficient reimbursement by insurance companies and Medicaid for childbirth expenses, have prompted hospital closures, leading to concerns about decreased access to prenatal and postpartum care. The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform suggests a shift in payment strategies and urges policymakers to address the shortage of providers in rural areas to prevent further closures and ensure maternal health.

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