WASHINGTON — Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI) recently co-sponsored the bi-partisan Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL). This bill aims to provide training and equipment to medical staff in rural healthcare facilities, ensuring readiness for emergency obstetric services during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period.
“In recent years, we have seen a decline in dedicated labor and delivery facilities in rural hospitals. Unfortunately, our own district saw the recent closure of ThedaCare’s Waupaca labor and delivery center. Even before this closure, some women in our district faced travel times of over 45 minutes to safely deliver their baby. That is why I am proud to co-sponsor this bi-partisan legislation to ensure that women across Northeast Wisconsin have access to the critical services they need,” said Wied.
The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act would help rural hospitals and doctors prepare to handle the obstetric emergencies that come through their doors by creating labor and delivery training programs for non-specialists. It also would provide federal grants for rural facilities to buy better equipment to handle these emergencies and develop a pilot program for teleconsultation services, so that a doctor at a rural facility can quickly consult with maternal health care experts.
Read the full bill HERE.
