Study examines decline in obstetric services in rural, urban areas

Seven states had at least 25% of their hospitals report they are no longer providing obstetric services, according to a Health Affairs study on the decline of obstetric services in rural and urban hospitals nationwide from 2010 to 2022. In addition, by 2022, more than two-thirds of rural hospitals in eight states were without obstetric services. In five states, 25% or more of their urban hospitals no longer reported providing obstetric services by 2022, but a lack of services was greater in rural areas, with 12 states experiencing 25% or more losses of obstetric services in rural hospitals. The study examined American Hospital Association survey data and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Provider of Services files data.