This legislation would provide funding to hospitals that maintain standby capacity for obstetric, pediatric, and surgical services, helping offset the cost of keeping these essential services available in rural communities. 

The bill has passed the Senate Health Committee and is currently under review by the Senate Appropriations Committee. As the committee considers the fiscal impact of the legislation, personal stories and examples of the economic and community impact of maintaining local maternity services can be especially powerful.

We urge you to contact your State Senator and ask them to support this legislation. Please feel free to personalize the message by sharing how maternity service closures, access challenges, or the economic impact of obstetric care have affected your community.