Medicaid Cuts Linked to Wave of Maternity Ward Shutdowns
Federal Medicaid reductions tied to the HR1 bill are contributing to a wave of maternity ward closures, according to experts. An analysis by Protect Our Care counted 52 closures since July 2025, with eight more facilities announcing plans to shut down. Hospitals in Virginia and rural Georgia cited the coming Medicaid policy changes when closing their units.
Protect Our Care, a nonprofit, tracked 52 maternity unit closures after the HR1 bill was announced in July 2025. Another eight facilities have said they will close their units. The legislation is scheduled to take full effect next year.
The measure introduces work requirements for many Medicaid-enrolled adults, more frequent eligibility reviews, and reduced federal Medicaid funding to states. Centra Southside Community Hospital in Virginia and St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in rural northeast Georgia both pointed to forthcoming Medicaid changes when they closed maternity services.
The closures may leave some communities, especially rural areas, with longer travel times to give birth and fewer nearby options for prenatal or delivery care. Families covered by Medicaid could face added uncertainty if eligibility rules and funding changes reduce coverage or strain hospital budgets. Hospitals that keep maternity services may absorb more patients, potentially affecting capacity. These effects may vary by state and locality as closures and policy changes unfold.