For years, U.S. rural hospitals have been in crisis, constantly under threat of closure. In 2020, nearly half of rural hospitals in the U.S. did not offer obstetric services. The American Journal of Public Health released a 2023 report finding that pregnancy-related deaths in rural areas are seen twice as often than in urban settings. Louisiana has one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the country, and post-Dobbs, as unprecedented maternal health legislation is passed, it’s potentially increasing risk for vulnerable patients.
