Rural Health
News by Topic: Maternal health and prenatal care
Jul 25, 2024 - Highlights the impact of no access to obstetric care on communities and families in rural and other parts of Kansas. Discusses community growth, distance to care, telehealth, training for healthcare workers, and quality of care.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Jul 19, 2024 - Describes a new program led by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences which will use mobile health units to expand access to contraceptives and reproductive health education to women in rural Arkansas. Provides overview of challenges affecting women in rural Arkansas, including high rates of unplanned teenage pregnancy and limited access to maternal healthcare.
Source: Arkansas Advocate
Jul 15, 2024 - Highlights declines in birth rates across time and the associated impact on rural labor and delivery services. Discusses the impact of low service volume on maintaining labor and delivery services and offering high quality healthcare.
Source: KFF Health News, NPR
Jul 10, 2024 - The Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center proposed rule would increase access to care and advance health equity. The proposal introduces new requirements for maternal quality improvement efforts, increases access to services in tribal, rural, and other underserved communities, addresses barriers to Medicare coverage for those recently incarcerated, and supports the agency's goals of reducing opioid overdoses.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Jul 10, 2024 - Grove Hill Memorial Hospital in Clarke County and East Alabama Medical Center-Lanier in Chambers County plan to convert to Rural Emergency Hospital status. This will mean closure of one of the last birthing units in rural south Alabama.
Source: AL.com
Jul 8, 2024 - Announces new awards to 6 tribal entities as part of the Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program. This initiative supports and promotes the health and well-being of expectant families and families with young children from birth to kindergarten entry in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Source: Administration for Children & Families
Jul 3, 2024 - Discusses health-related challenges in Bastrop County, Texas, a Health Professional Shortage Area for primary care, dental care, and mental health care. The county has a high percentage of uninsured people, few transportation options in rural areas, and a lack of maternal health services.
Source: Community Impact
Jul 3, 2024 - Discusses how a remote patient monitoring program in northern Minnesota is increasing access to care and resources for rural pregnant women. Details the program's structure and highlights the use of in-home telehealth appointments, physical monitoring equipment, and arranging transportation for in-person care.
Source: HealthLeaders Media
Jun 28, 2024 - Washington Senator Maria Cantwell cosponsored legislation aiming to increase rural hospitals' reimbursements through Medicaid, in order to help keep maternity wards open in rural Washington communities. The legislation would give rural hospitals and hospitals with a high percentage of births among Medicaid patients a 150% Medicaid reimbursement rate.
Source: Northwest Public Broadcasting
Jun 26, 2024 - Highlights efforts by the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta to expand access to doula services for Black women in rural Georgia. Describes doula services including education, health system navigation, emotional support, and resource referrals. Discusses funding challenges and efforts to make doula services reimbursable by Medicaid in Georgia.
Source: WABE