Maternal Health Care Deserts Are Spreading in Rural Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Independent

Jan 13, 2026

Discusses reasons for labor and delivery department closures across Pennsylvania including challenges with recruiting and retaining obstetricians and gynecologists and low reimbursement rates for Medicare and Medicaid. Also notes poor health outcomes associated with maternal healthcare deserts. Describes potential solutions including increasing access to and the scope of practice for nurse midwives and certified midwives

Access · Closures of healthcare facilities and services · Maternal health and prenatal care · Maternal health workforce · Medicaid · Medicare · Recruitment and retention of health professionals · Reimbursement and payment models · Scope of practice · Pennsylvania