Bipartisan bill to improve rural obstetric care introduced in Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C., (WTVY) - Four senators reintroduced an act that would improve obstetrics care in rural areas on Tuesday, according to a statement released by Senator Katie Britt’s office.

The bill, called the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, would offer support for rural healthcare facilities to provide urgent obstetric care.

The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act would:

• Create new training programs to help hospital staff respond to emergencies with labor and delivery
• Provide grants for rural healthcare institutions to buy improved equipment
• Develop a ‘pilot program' for teleconsultation services allowing doctors in rural areas to quickly communicate with maternal healthcare experts

Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) first introduced the bipartisan legislation in April 2024.

“Alabama women deserve access to high-quality care throughout their pregnancy journeys, no matter their zip code,” Britt said.

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In Alabama, nearly 30% of women had no birthing hospital within 30 minutes of their home, according to a 2023 report by March of Dimes. That figure is exceedingly higher than the national average of 10%.

“Regardless of where new and expecting moms live, they should be able to access high-quality health care in their community,” said Senator Smith. “But right now, too many women in rural areas don’t have a nearby hospital with adequate labor and delivery services.”

Alabama has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation, ranking 49th in maternal healthcare. There are nearly 40 deaths for every 100,000 births in the state.

RELATED: STATE LOOKING TO REDUCE NUMBER OF PREVENTABLE MATERNAL DEATHS

The same report found that 23 Alabama counties — over a third in the state — classified as “maternity care deserts,” which have no physicians, hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care.

In Alabama’s southeast region, the report classified Henry County as a maternity care desert while Coffee, Pike and Barbour counties were all considered ‘low access.’

In 2023, three Alabama hospitals said they would close their labor and delivery departments. In 2024, one of the last remaining birthing units in southern Alabama closed.

READ MORE: MATERNITY WARDS ARE CLOSING ACROSS THE COUNTRY

“The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act would equip rural hospitals with the tools, training, and resources to deliver urgent obstetric care throughout Alabama,” Britt continued.

Access to obstetrics is an issue affecting women nationwide, which is why women from both parties and across multiple regions of the country came together to introduce the legislation, Britt’s office said.

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