“Medicaid Cuts Trigger 52 US Maternity Ward Closures, More Expected” — what this page in the network covers. At least 52 maternity wards across the United States have closed since the announcement of the HR1 spending bill in July 2025, according to analysis by the non-profit Protect Our Care. An additional eight wards have announced upcoming closures, signaling a deepening crisis in maternal healthcare access. The cuts to federal Medicaid funding, part of what President Trump called a 'big, beautiful bill,' are expected to be fully felt next year, but hospitals are already feeling the squeeze.
Rural and underserved communities are disproportionately affected, as maternity care is often a financial loss leader for hospitals, relying heavily on Medicaid reimbursements. With Medicaid covering about 40% of all births in the U.S., these closures threaten to create maternity care deserts, forcing pregnant women to travel long distances for prenatal and delivery services. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.