Tag #Rural America

How does the tension between expanding abortion access and addressing broader maternal healthcare needs in rural Oregon reflect national trends and challenges?

The limited access to maternal healthcare in rural Oregon exacerbates existing inequalities and poses significant risks to pregnant women and their newborns. The closure of the maternity ward in Baker City, coupled with the distance to the nearest alternative, increases the likelihood of complications and necessitates travel to distant facilities, as seen in McCoy's case. This situation is not unique, with a study showing that 52% of rural hospitals lacked obstetrics care by 2022.