In rural Baker City, Oregon, the maternity ward at the only hospital closed in 2023, forcing pregnant women like Shyanne McCoy to travel long distances for care. While progressive lawmakers in Oregon aim to expand abortion access, rural communities are resistant, prioritizing better maternity care. Rural areas, known as “maternity care deserts,” face limited reproductive health services, and even in states protecting abortion access, services can be scarce. Physicians in small towns are hesitant to offer abortions due to limited anonymity and social stigma. The closure of abortion clinics and hospitals in rural areas exacerbates the challenges faced by pregnant women seeking care.
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For Many Rural Women, Finding Maternity Care Outweighs Concerns About Abortion Access
