Many women in rural areas face more hurdles for maternal health care than those in urban or suburban areas. There is often a lack of education on pregnancy and postpartum in these areas, which leads to a significant toll on the mental health of these mothers. There is also a lack of up-to-date facilities for these families. The bipartisan Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act (H.R. 8383 and S.4079) sponsored by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) calls to improve obstetric emergency care. The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) and would require an assessment of obstetric training needs for the nation’s rural healthcare facilities that lack dedicated obstetric units.

“One’s zip code should not determine one’s access to health care,” said Rep. Kim, noting that the bill “aims to bridge this alarming gap in maternal health care and provide the workforce, training, and equipment to meet patients’ unique needs regardless of where they live. I am proud to help introduce this important bipartisan bill and will keep fighting as Maternity Care Caucus co-chair to support women, babies, and families at all levels.”

“No mother should be without quality maternal health care during pregnancy, labor, or postpartum, regardless of where they live,” said Rep. Kelly, also a co-chair of the Maternity Care Caucus. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will provide targeted support for rural healthcare facilities in Illinois and across the country.” 

If enacted, the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act would direct the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health to create an obstetric emergency training program for rural healthcare facilities that do not have a dedicated labor and delivery unit. This bill also would establish new federal grants for rural healthcare facilities to purchase necessary equipment to carry out obstetrics readiness training and response and create a pilot program to support a statewide or regional network of obstetric and maternal healthcare teams to provide urgent teleconsultation to rural facilities. The bill has been endorsed by several groups, including the National Rural Health Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists, among others.

Please use our pre-drafted letters to urge your representative to co-sponsor and support the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act (H.R. 8383 and S.4079) bill. If they have already sponsored or co-sponsored the bill, you can send a message of thanks.