US Maternal Mortality Disparities Linked to State Policies
Social media posts are highlighting significant disparities in U.S. maternal mortality, with Southern states reportedly having the highest rates. Arkansas is noted as having one of the nation's highest maternal mortality rates and is the only state that has not expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage. Separately, abortion restrictions are being criticized for potentially increasing unsafe procedures and maternal deaths.
The U.S. maternal mortality rate was 23.2 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2018 and 2022. States in the South consistently have the highest rates, with Arkansas reporting 38.3 deaths per 100,000 births in the same period. For comparison, California's rate was 10.1. As of February 2026, Arkansas is the only state that has not expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a full year. This coverage gap is critical, as the Arkansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee notes that over half of the state's maternal deaths occur in the postpartum period, with many happening after the 60-day mark. Studies have demonstrated a correlation between abortion restrictions and increased maternal mortality. One analysis found that states with a higher number of abortion restrictions had a 7% increase in total maternal mortality. Specifically, policies requiring licensed physicians for abortions were linked to a 51% higher maternal death rate, and restrictions on Medicaid funding for the procedure were associated with a 29% increase. To help fill care gaps, the nurse-midwifery profession is projected to grow 35% between 2024 and 2034. Research shows midwifery-led care is associated with lower rates of cesarean births, reduced labor interventions, and higher rates of breastfeeding, all while maintaining safety standards comparable to physician-led care for low-risk pregnancies. In Virginia, new legislation aims to tackle maternity care shortages, where 36% of counties are considered "maternity care deserts." House Bill 1904, effective July 1, 2025, allows certified nurse-midwives and licensed certified midwives to provide 24-hour on-call nursery care in hospitals when a pediatrician is unavailable. To address its high mortality rate, Arkansas has launched initiatives like mobile maternity units with doulas and midwives to serve rural counties. The state's Perinatal Quality Collaborative is also implementing a program called Postpartum CARE (Comprehensive Assessment, Resources and Education) to better support women before they are discharged from the hospital. Evidence-based practices proven to improve birth outcomes include continuous labor support, freedom of movement during labor, and avoiding medical induction unless necessary. Structured "care bundles," which combine multiple evidence-based practices, are also being implemented to standardize and improve the quality of care during childbirth.
