US maternity wards face wave of closures as Medicaid cuts kick in

Maternity wards across the United States are facing a wave of closures as cuts to federal Medicaid funding take effect. Experts warn that these changes, stemming from the HR1 bill announced in July 2025, will significantly impact maternal care.

According to analysis by the non-profit Protect Our Care, 52 maternity wards have closed since the announcement of the HR1 bill, with an additional eight announcing their impending closures. The bill, which will fully come into effect in the new year, imposes new work requirements for adults covered by Medicaid and increases the frequency of eligibility checks, while also reducing federal funding for states.

Hospitals that have already permanently closed their maternity wards include Centra Southside Community Hospital in Virginia and St Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in rural northeast Georgia, both citing upcoming federal policy changes to Medicaid as a reason for their closures.

Experts predict that more maternity units will close in the lead-up to and following the implementation of these federal changes. Erin Jones, senior director of legislative and strategic counsel at March of Dimes, expressed concern:

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"We’re deeply concerned that these changes already have and will continue to worsen an already serious maternity care crisis."