Bipartisan bill reintroduced to improve rural obstetric health care
The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act aims to enhance maternal health in rural communities by providing federal grants, training programs, and telehealth services to better manage obstetric emergencies.
Bipartisan bill reintroduced to improve rural obstetric health care | Image Credit: © New Africa - © New Africa - stock.adobe.com.
On February 4, 2025, a bipartisan bill supporting the provision of urgent obstetric health care in rural facilities was reintroduced by US Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Tina Smith (D-MN).1
Through the creation of training programs, provision of federal grants, and development of pilot programs for teleconsultation services, the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act would improve management of obstetric emergencies in rural hospitals. The bill was first introduced by Senator Hassan in 2024.1
“No pregnant woman should struggle to access quality, affordable health care they need because of their zip code,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation will provide targeted support so that health care facilities in rural New Hampshire and rural communities across the country can get the equipment, training, and resources that they need.”1
Using the resources provided by federal grants, rural facilities could purchase improved equipment for managing obstetric emergencies. Additionally, training programs will provide doctors with the knowledge to handle these emergencies, while a pilot program for teleconsultation services will allow for fast consultation with maternal health care experts.1
The bill was first introduced at a roundtable at Speare Memorial Hospital in Plymouth, New Hampshire. The state experienced 11 maternity wards closing over the past 2 decades, alongside a 2-fold increase in the median driving time to a labor and delivery unit to approximately 40 minutes. This increases the risk of poor maternal and infant health outcomes.1
According to the legislation, obstetric emergency training would include an evidence-based program that teaches doctors how to prepare for, identify, stabilize, and transfer women undergoing labor, delivery, and certain maternal conditions.2 These include obstetric hemorrhage, severe hypertension, substance use, sepsis, and more.
Trainees would work alongside 1 or more representative from a medical society with experience in rural health care delivery. These recipients would also utilize regional training partnerships and technical assistance provided to rural health care facilities.2
Federal grants would include $5,000,000 for the fiscal years of 2025 to 2027. Eligible entities would receive grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements from the Secretary to integrate training into their setting, purchase necessary equipment, and improve workforce capacity.2
Entities eligible to receive a grant include a rural hospital, critical access hospital, or rural emergency hospital that agrees to carry out the program described in the legislation. They must carry out the program in coordination with other federally funded maternal and child health programs and in consultations with similar programs in the same geographic region.2
Alongside developing regional maternal health care telehealth programs, the bill would support improving telehealth access programs for maternal health that have already been implemented. An assessment would also be conducted to determine urgent maternal health needs among providers.
The bill also mentions that a study would be conducted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to map maternity ward closures and geographic trends of patient transport. This study would be submitted no later than 3 years after enactment of the Act.2
“By creating new opportunities to improve obstetric readiness in rural communities through skills training, workforce development, and telehealth partnerships, this bipartisan legislation would help reduce care gaps and better ensure that more rural Maine communities have access to the maternal care they need,” said Senator Collins.1
References
- Senators Hassan, Collins, Britt, Smith reintroduce bipartisan legislation to expand access to maternal health care. Maggie Hassan. February 4, 2025. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-hassan-collins-britt-smith-reintroduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-expand-access-to-maternal-health-care
- S.4079 - Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act. Congress. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4079/text
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