The closure of obstetric services at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital illustrates a troubling trend where a decline in deliveries leads to significant implications for maternal health, particularly regarding access for patients with Medicaid insurance.
The nationwide trend of labor and delivery unit closures contributes to the creation of 'maternity care deserts,' disproportionately affecting those reliant on Medicaid and exacerbating the existing maternal health crisis.
With California experiencing a higher rate of obstetric unit closures, it amplifies an alarming disparity, particularly as over 40% of deliveries in the U.S. are covered by Medicaid.
Modern fee-for-service healthcare models push for hospitals to maximize efficiency, which negatively impacts the necessary staffing for labor and delivery units, leading to closures as expenses outweigh reimbursements.
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