Pregnant Women in Rural America Often Lack Health Insurance, Upping Risks

 

A new study suggests that pregnant women and new mothers living in rural areas of the United States are at increased risk of adverse outcomes, including death, because they are more likely to be uninsured.

A University of Michigan study found that women living in rural areas had lower rates for uninterrupted health insurance before, during, and after pregnancy than women in urban areas.

“Lack of insurance coverage during pregnancy is associated with inadequate prenatal and postnatal care, addressing risk factors affecting both the health status of the mother and the baby. Opportunities are dwindling," said lead author Dr. Lindsey Admon. She is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan School of Medicine.

"Our research suggests that rural residents are disproportionately affected by lack of insurance coverage during critical stages of pregnancy," Admon said in a press release from her school. increase. Previous research has shown that women in rural areas are at higher risk of pregnancy, childbirth and serious complications afterward. They also often have limited access to local midwifery services and live far from care.

In the new study, researchers analyzed survey data from nearly 155,000 postpartum women in 43 states between her 2016 and her 2019 years. About 16% lived in rural areas.

Researchers compared premium rates and coverage gaps between rural and urban residents before conception, at birth, and after birth. White, married and intentionally pregnant rural women were less likely than urban women to have adequate or consistent insurance. It was also unlikely.

Hispanic or Hispanic rural residents had the highest pre-pregnancy uninsured rates, followed closely by residents of Indigenous communities.

"Regional inequalities persisted regardless of age, marital status or type of insurance," Admon said. "However, these differences were even more pronounced among specific racial and ethnic groups."

Within three months of giving birth, a study revealed that nearly 13% of her people in rural areas were uninsured. Rural residents were more likely to qualify for Medicaid, a state program that covers medical costs for people with limited income. Also, because pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage typically ends 60 days after giving birth, these people are at greater risk of losing access to insurance.

Admon said he was particularly concerned about this. The study found that rural residents without postnatal insurance were more likely to be over the age of 35 and to be obese or have chronic hypertension compared with uninsured urban residents. was found to be high.

"It's very worrying to see that postpartum individuals likely don't have insurance and are at higher risk for medical complications in their postpartum years," Admon said. "Postnatal insurance interruptions are associated with lower rates of care recommended to address concerns such as hypertension and depression-related complications."

She said one way to increase access to commercial health insurance is to incentivize smaller employers to provide affordable coverage for families.

"We need to consider policies to increase insurance coverage at all stages of pregnancy and help address rural disparities in employment and employment-based insurance," Admon told UNS. 

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