Bipartisan legislation offered on Tuesday by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) 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. Unfortunately, many women in rural areas face additional hurdles to receive maternal 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.”
The congresswoman cosponsored the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, H.R. 8383, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) to improve obstetric emergency care.
“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,” said Rep. Kim.
If enacted, H.R. 8383 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, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Kim’s staff.
H.R. 8383 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 summary says.
“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.”
Companion legislation was introduced by U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), according to Rep. Kim’s staff.
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.
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.
