A rural hospital in south Alabama, Grove Hill Memorial Hospital, recently closed its labor and delivery department. As a result, women from the area may have to drive more than an hour to deliver their babies. This is dangerous for both mothers and their babies. Evidence shows that the farther a woman must travel to receive maternity care, the greater the risk that a mother and her baby could lose their lives.

Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a series of birthing unit closures in Alabama. At least four hospitals have closed their labor and delivery departments since October 2023 - with even more struggling to keep their doors open. However, expanding Medicaid could help keep labor and delivery units open by improving hospitals’ overall finances. 

It doesn’t have to be this way. Our state is keeping people from accessing affordable health coverage—coverage they can get in 40 other states. Expanding Medicaid is an opportunity to ensure all Alabamians, regardless of where they live, have a fighting chance to stay healthy and raise thriving families. 

For more information on Alabama's maternal health crisis, visit www.coveralabama.org/savemoms.