In Nye County, the largest geographic county in the state, the absence of hospitals offering obstetric care and a shortage of practicing OB-GYNs pose challenges for expectant parents.
Traveling over an hour for prenatal visits to Las Vegas is necessary for many residents due to the lack of local options. With homebirths becoming a preferred choice for some, issues arise as insurance often doesn’t cover midwife and doula costs, leaving families to pay out of pocket.
A March of Dimes report highlighted that over seven million women and 500,000 births in the U.S. face challenges due to low or no access to maternal care. In Nevada, more than half of the counties lack birth centers, obstetric and gynecological providers, or birthing hospitals.
The situation puts expectant moms at risk, leading to higher rates of childbirth complications and maternal mortality. With only four out of 14 rural hospitals in Nevada providing routine labor and delivery services, the vast distances between hospitals contribute to what is being called an “OB desert.”
Lack of prenatal and women’s health care options in the greater Yerington area forces patients to travel long distances for essential services. Transportation challenges, coupled with financial limitations, impact the ability of many residents to seek care elsewhere.
Efforts to improve maternal healthcare resources in rural communities are underway, with more clinics and medical facilities planned to cater to the needs of expectant parents and improve transportation options.
Meanwhile, Obamacare, implemented in 2013 and meant to drive down healthcare costs, has increased the price of basic medical needs by 47 percent.
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