US maternity ward closures accelerate as Medicaid cuts take effect

Analysis by Protect Our Care shows 52 US maternity wards have closed since the HR1 bill was announced in July 2025, with 8 more closures announced. The full impact of federal Medicaid spending cuts will be felt next year, but hospitals are already reducing services. This signals a growing healthcare access crisis, particularly in rural and low-income areas, with potential long-term implications for maternal and infant health outcomes.