DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – An Illinois Congresswoman has continued her fight addressing maternal deserts in the United States.
U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (IL-02) has taken action to address the maternal health crisis in rural America. She, along with Representatives from California, Pennsylvania and Washington have the introduction of the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act.
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The measure would improve rural healthcare facilities with essential resources and training for obstetric care.
The bill comes as a critical response to recent findings from March of Dimes. The organization found over 2 million women, of childbearing age, live in maternity care deserts. These areas do not have hospitals, birth centers, or obstetric providers and they often see higher rates of chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, intensifying the risks associated with pregnancy.
"Every mother deserves affordable and reliable healthcare before and during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum," said Rep. Kelly, who co-chairs the Maternity Care Caucus. "I’ve heard countless stories from constituents who must travel hours to reach a hospital with a delivery room, adding stress and potential complications to an already vulnerable time."
Rep. Kelly's district spans from south of Chicago to Danville and west to Pontiac, covering rural areas like Iroquois County—one of many maternity care deserts in Illinois. More than half of counties nationwide lack a hospital providing obstetric services.
"Babies are our future, and in the U.S. if someone wants to have a baby they should feel secure that they can have the baby in a safe way."
The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act has proposed training programs that will direct the Health Resources and Services Administration to establish obstetric emergency training for rural healthcare facilities. It will also open federal grants that will help purchase equipment and resources necessary for obstetric care readiness and emergency response.
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In addition it would create pilot programs to offer real-time obstetric teleconsultations for rural facilities and mandate studies on maternity ward closures and exploring regional care models to enhance obstetric access.
Read the full text of the legislation here.
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