July 2026 Blogs

Bridging the Gaps in Rural Maternal Health Care

July 22, 2026
by Cmdr. Tina Pattara-Lau, MD, FACOG, Maternal Child Health Consultant

These stories of lived experience may be familiar to staff who have provided care to families in the Indian Health Service. Since 2020, 124 rural hospitals have closed their maternity units or plan to close them before the end of this year, representing a 12 percent reduction in rural labor and delivery (L&D) services (Center for Healthcare Quality & Payment Reform, 2026). Over one-third of U.S. counties are now considered maternity care deserts, with no access to L&D, OB/GYNs, midwives, or family practice providers.