Delaware County Scrambles to Boost Maternal Care
Facing rising demand and service gaps, Delaware County is working to expand its maternal health services. The effort includes provider recruitment and new partnerships, mirroring a trend across the Mid-Atlantic region. The local push highlights the broader national challenge of addressing workforce shortages in maternal healthcare.
The county's public health response includes a new Community Health Improvement Plan for 2024-2028, which designates "Promote Maternal, Parental, and Infant Health" as a key focus area, aiming to improve birth outcomes and prevent infant deaths. This strategic priority was underscored by a February 2026 request for proposals from the Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) for a campaign to raise awareness of its Centralized Intake System, a project specifically designed to strengthen the local maternal care workforce. This local push is happening as state-level policy shifts are underway. Pennsylvania's Senate Bill 507, the Midwifery Modernization Act, passed the Senate in late 2025 and is now before the House. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Brown, would create a new licensure category for "certified midwives," update practice requirements, and expand prescription authority, which supporters argue will increase access to care. Legislative efforts also include the "PA MOMNIBUS 2.0," a package of bills championed by the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus, co-chaired by Delaware County's own Rep. Gina H. Curry. This suite of legislation aims to address racial disparities in maternal outcomes by funding doula care, expanding access to at-home blood pressure monitors, and tackling social determinants of health. On the ground, The Foundation for Delaware County is a key partner, with its "Family Village" initiative acting as a hub for services like the Healthy Start program and a doula program for families in Chester. The foundation has directly linked the closure of Delaware County Memorial Hospital's maternity ward to increased risks for pregnant people, highlighting the urgency of building a more diverse and robust perinatal health workforce.
