A new report by the March of Dimes shows a maternal health care disaster in this country:

- A stunning 1 in every 3 counties in the United States doesn't have a single obstetrician.
- 60% of maternity care deserts fall in a rural part of the country.

Right now, in South Dakota, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, and Arkansas, more than 50% of all counties are considered maternity care deserts. North Dakota – my home state – ranks worst, with 73.6% of all counties classified as maternity care deserts.

Millions of women are being forced to seek care further and further away from home and are put at higher risk of complications as it's become harder to receive pre- and post-natal care. All compounded by the flight of experienced practitioners who are fleeing states with the most restrictive abortion laws — causing shortages of OB-GYNs, nurses, midwives, and family practice doctors. And it's only projected to get worse.

And now, the post-Roe environment has railroaded where young doctors are choosing to train and work.

They're actively avoiding states with abortion bans because they limit what lifesaving care can be provided and threaten doctors with prosecution and lawsuits for practicing normal standards of care.

Maternal health care in rural states is facing a breaking point. The risks associated with pregnancy grow with each new restriction, and when doctors are prohibited by law from treating patients to the best of their ability, it's disproportionately rural communities who suffer because of it.

We cannot continue to fail mothers, children, and rural families. As we go to cast our ballots for new leaders in just a few weeks, one of the most important issues at the top of our minds must be who is going to get to work making rural health care accessible, viable, and equitable.

Heidi

Heidi Heitkamp, Former U.S. Senator from North Dakota
Founder, One Country



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