It will only get worse: 52 maternity wards have closed in the US

U.S. maternity wards continue to close amid upcoming cuts to federal funding for Medicaid. Since the announcement of the HR1 bill in July 2025, 52 such departments have shut down, with eight more medical units reporting plans to close.

Experts expect this trend to continue before the Medicaid changes take effect in 2027 and beyond. The most serious consequences, according to their estimates, can occur in rural areas, where access to medical care for pregnant women is already limited.

According to the publication, about 40% of births in the United States are paid for by Medicaid, the state program of health insurance for people with low incomes. Reduced funding could make it more difficult for such patients to access health services.

The high maternal mortality rate in the country is of further concern. Among high-income countries, the United States remains among the countries with the most unfavorable performance on this parameter.

The closures are reported by the non-profit organization Protect Our Care. Her analysis points to a decline in the number of working maternity wards and a possible further deterioration in the availability of obstetrics following a change in federal Medicaid funding rules.