Access Is Not Utilization: Why Sustainable Rural Maternity Care Requires Investment in Women’s Trust, Continuity, and Workforce Stability
Journal of Primary Care & Community Health
Published online on April 11, 2026
Abstract
Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, Volume 17, January-December 2026.
Rural maternity care policy in the United States has largely focused on restoring geographic access by preserving or reopening obstetric units. Yet many pregnant patients continue to bypass local maternity services even when facilities remain available. ...
Rural maternity care policy in the United States has largely focused on restoring geographic access by preserving or reopening obstetric units. Yet many pregnant patients continue to bypass local maternity services even when facilities remain available. ...