Healthy Habits - Rural Maternity Care

  A new national healthcare infrastructure study by ConciergeMD, a private healthcare provider, highlights the growing fragility of maternal care access in rural America. Part of a broader analysis of hospital accessibility across all 50 states, the latest data reveals a quieter crisis unfolding in rural areas: the collapse of labor and delivery services in hospitals across the states.

The study forms part of a broader ranking of healthcare infrastructure in all 50 states, covering hospital density and discussing access to emergency care, workforce shortages, and rural facility closures. The collapse of rural maternity care is a particularly dangerous trend, as closures leave vast geographic regions without access to safe deliveries—impacting maternal mortality, emergency obstetric care, and infant outcomes. This is particularly concerning given that pregnancy-related deaths have continued to rise across the U.S. in recent years [1].
 

Florida: One of the Worst States for Rural Maternity Access

Despite being the third-most populous state, Florida now has only two rural hospitals offering labor and delivery services—down from four in 2021. The median driving time for rural patients needing maternity care exceeds 90 minutes, the highest in the country.

Other Severely Affected States

• Indiana has lost 12 rural L&D units since 2021; 30 hospitals now lack the service.
• In Alabama, just 15 of 51 rural hospitals still provide L&D care—36 have none.
• Arkansas sees a similar trend: just one-third of rural hospitals provide maternity services; eight more are at risk of closing.
• In Maine, the median driving time to L&D care is 45 minutes, with half of rural hospitals having already lost services over the past four years.

Care Under Pressure: Florida’s Hospital Infrastructure Struggles to Keep Pace with Demand

Florida’s broader hospital infrastructure is also struggeling. The recent analysis of hospital accessibility across the states has shown that Florida’s hospital density is particularly low—just 0.94 hospitals per 100,000 residents, ranking the state 45th nationwide. This underscores a fragile healthcare infrastructure under mounting strain. While Florida offers 2.46 hospital beds per 1,000 people, only slightly above the national average, this limited margin leaves little flexibility for seasonal population surges or public health emergencies. Although recent gains have slightly reduced the nurse vacancy rate to 13% in 2023, long-term projections suggest a looming crisis: by 2035, Florida could face a shortfall of nearly 60,000 nurses. These converging factors—aging demographics, infrastructure constraints, and workforce gaps—signal growing risk for delayed care across the board.

Maternity care is disappearing across large parts of the country,” says Dr. Neal Kumar, co-founder of ConciergeMD and a board-certified dermatologist with an MBA in health management. “Hospital closures and workforce shortages are converging to create maternity care deserts—forcing pregnant women to travel long distances while in labor. This data highlights a critical challenge, but also an opportunity. By increasing awareness and investing in healthcare infrastructure, we can work toward ensuring safe, timely care for all expecting mothers.
 

Source:

[1] U.S. pregnancy-related deaths continuing to rise — Harvard Gazette

The analysis of rural maternity services across the U.S. is part of a broader  analysis regarding the hospital accessibility in America. The data for the situation of rural maternity wards has been collected from Saving Rural Hospitals. More information about the study, including a full list of sources, can be found at: https://conciergemdla.com/state-of-healthcare-hospital-access-across-america-updated/

About ConciergeMD: ConciergeMD is on a mission to make better health more convenient for all. Founded by Dr. Abe Malkin and Dr. Neal Kumar, both MD/MBAs from Tufts University School of Medicine, ConciergeMD delivers next-generation care that blends clinical excellence with flexibility. One founder is a board-certified family medicine physician, the other a trained dermatologist, bringing together deep expertise in both general and specialized care. Whether you're optimizing your longevity, seeking primary care at home or on the go, or facing an urgent health concern, ConciergeMD delivers personalized in-home and virtual medical services nationwide. Services include comprehensive health assessments, house calls, and round-the-clock virtual visits, all designed to support your health and lifespan. Learn more at https://conciergemdla.com/.