Ten maternity wards in Ohio have closed or are merging in the last year, diverting pregnant patients to care centers farther away. Thirteen counties have little to no maternity care.
Recent data from the March of Dimes shows that Ohio led the nation in the number of women affected by the reductions – nearly 100,000.
Plus, a Scripps Howard investigation found that a growing number of emergency departments across the U.S. are turning away women in active labor – in violation of federal law.
The consequences of these changes can be serious and sometimes fatal to mother and baby. Especially for those of color.
We discuss the state of pregnancy care in Ohio and beyond.
Host:
- Amy Juravich, News Midday Host/Assistant Program Director
Guests:
- Danae King, underserved communities reporter for The Columbus Dispatch
- Margaret Demko, program manager of Vinton County Help Me Grow
- John Palmer, director of public affairs of the Ohio Hospital Association
- Lori Jane Gliha, national investigative correspondent for Scripps News
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