Maternal Mortality Crisis Worsens as Republican Reconciliation Legislation Accelerates Hospital Closures and Cuts to Medicaid

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) spoke out against the Republican reconciliation legislation's provisions that would accelerate the closure of community hospitals and women's health clinics, exacerbating the maternal mortality crisis in the United States. The amendment, introduced by Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), aimed to reverse the GOP cuts to Planned Parenthood and other healthcare organizations that provide lifesaving women's health care.

At a time when maternal health outcomes are worsening across the country, with the United States ranking last among developed nations in maternal mortality, the bill's provisions would "pour gasoline on a fire that is already consuming our hospitals, our providers, and our patients." Congresswoman Trahan highlighted the devastating impact of hospital closures on her district, where the only maternity ward in the western part of her district shut down in 2023 due to staffing shortages, and two more hospitals closed during the Steward Health Care crisis.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Republican reconciliation legislation's provision would cut $715 billion from Medicaid and eliminate health coverage for at least 13.7 million Americans, disproportionately affecting pregnant women and new mothers.
  • Medicaid is the largest single-payer of maternity care in the United States, covering an estimated 40% of births, with nearly half of the country's children and one in five women covered by Medicaid.
  • The amendment to strike the provision limiting federal Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, introduced by Congresswoman Fletcher, would force clinic closures and force more patients to visit hospitals that will be stretched thin by other Medicaid cuts in the bill.
  • The bill would target Planned Parenthood, blocking their health centers from receiving Medicaid dollars in states where abortion is already banned, despite these centers not performing abortions.
  • Maternal mortality is rising, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, making the proposed cuts to Medicaid and reproductive health services particularly devastating.
  • The House Energy and Commerce Committee markup on the Republican reconciliation legislation took place on May 13, 2025, where the amendment was defeated following a vote along party lines.
  • According to the March of Dimes, 1 in every 25 obstetric units has closed in just the last two years, with over 1,000 counties in America now classified as maternity care deserts.

Statistics:

  • At least 13.7 million Americans could lose health coverage due to the Republican reconciliation legislation's Medicaid cuts.
  • Medicaid covers an estimated 40% of births in the United States.
  • 1 in 5 women in the country are covered by Medicaid.
  • 2.3 million women live in areas classified as maternity care deserts, where there isn't a single birthing facility.
  • 1 in every 25 obstetric units has closed in the last two years.
  • Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives
  • Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)
  • Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)
  • March of Dimes