States Deploy Rural Health Transformation Funds to Address Maternity Care Deserts and Workforce Gaps

This analysis examines how states are using federal Rural Health Transformation Program dollars to tackle maternal health challenges in rural Medicaid populations, focusing on maternity care deserts affecting one-third of U.S. counties. State strategies include financial incentives to sustain low-volume labor and delivery units, workforce expansion through doulas and midwives, and telehealth-enabled prenatal care—all with direct implications for MCOs serving rural maternal populations. With states facing an October 2026 deadline to obligate first-year awards, MCOs should understand how these rural infrastructure and workforce investments will affect their provider networks and member access.

Maternal · Managed Care

This is outside commentary from Manatt Health, not part of Medicaid Monitor's independently scored news coverage.

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