Federal Policy
March of Dimes: 5.8 Million Women Live in Maternity Care Deserts
A March of Dimes report finds that 5.8 million women live in counties without full access to maternity care, with one-third of U.S. counties classified as maternity care deserts — areas lacking hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric services. The report highlights geographic disparities in prenatal and delivery care access nationwide. These gaps affect Medicaid-covered pregnancies, as Medicaid finances approximately 42% of births nationally and faces network adequacy and provider participation challenges in underserved areas.
Why it mattersStates and managed care plans must address maternity care network gaps to meet federal access standards and improve maternal health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries, who represent the largest payer source for births.