Closure of Maternity Units in Most Rural Hospitals Across the US: Research Findings
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New York, Dec 5 (NationPress) More than 500 hospitals have ceased operations in their labour and delivery sectors since 2010, leaving a majority of rural hospitals in the US and more than a third of urban hospitals without access to obstetric care, according to a comprehensive new study.
The study indicated that these closures were somewhat counterbalanced by the establishment of new units in approximately 130 hospitals. Nevertheless, the proportion of hospitals lacking maternity wards has consistently risen each year, as detailed in the study published on Wednesday in JAMA, a well-respected medical journal.
Throughout this timeframe, maternal mortality rates have remained alarmingly elevated, with a notable increase during the pandemic, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The research data only extends through 2022, so it does not reflect the additional difficulties faced by hospitals following the Supreme Court decision that annulled Roe v. Wade that year, which prompted many states to impose restrictions on abortion. States enforcing abortion bans have witnessed a significant decrease in their obstetrician workforce.
According to the researchers, one of the factors contributing to the closure of obstetric units is that these departments often operate at a loss. More than 40 percent of births in the United States are covered by Medicaid, the public insurance program for low-income individuals, which typically offers lower reimbursements to doctors and hospitals compared to private insurance.
As reported by The New York Times, "Hospital administrators frequently take into account the revenue generated by each bed, leading to pressures that favor more lucrative services. Operating a labour and delivery unit can be particularly expensive due to the necessity for continuous coverage from specialists who can respond to cesarean sections and other medical emergencies."
