Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Maggie Hassan, Susan Collins, and Tina Smith have introduced the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, a bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding access to maternal health care in rural areas. Senator Britt emphasized the importance of this initiative by stating, “I’m proud to join Senator Hassan in leading this important bipartisan legislation to support moms and empower rural hospitals with the resources needed to provide quality care to women in their communities.”

Senator Hassan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the necessity of high-quality care for expecting mothers regardless of their location, “Expecting moms deserve access to high-quality care to protect their health and the health of their babies – during their pregnancy, during labor, and after they give birth.”

Senator Collins highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating, “The closure of labor and delivery units in rural Maine and throughout the nation is an urgent issue that threatens the health and safety of mothers and babies.” She emphasized that the legislation would help reduce care gaps and ensure that more rural communities have access to maternal care.

Senator Smith emphasized the need for equal access to quality health care for all new and expecting moms, stating, “No matter where new and expecting moms live, they should be able to access quality health care.” She highlighted the challenges faced by rural families in accessing care and stressed the importance of addressing health disparities.

The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act aims to help rural hospitals and doctors prepare to handle obstetric emergencies. In Alabama, where over a third of counties are classified as “maternity care deserts,” the legislation is especially crucial. Senator Britt, who has been actively involved in healthcare legislation, has previously introduced bills to improve access to insulin, mental health care, and breast cancer diagnosis. She also secured significant funding to upgrade medical equipment and rural health services in Alabama.

The introduction of the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act underscores the senators' commitment to improving maternal health care access in rural areas and addressing the disparities that exist in healthcare services across different regions.