Health
Healthcare Challenges in Rural Areas
Oregon is implementing a law requiring hospitals to offer financial aid to patients. In Georgia, the state is exploring ways to address rural maternal health crises by equipping emergency rooms for obstetric emergencies.
Coverage timeline — 2 articles
KFF Health News
Most of Georgia’s counties are without a labor and delivery unit. To fill the gap, the state is looking to equip emergency rooms to handle obstetric emergencies. Advocates and doctors worry, however, that the ER is being used as a stopgap.
2026-10-21 09:00 UTC
KFF Health News
Oregon passed a law to require hospitals to proactively screen patients to see if they qualify for financial aid. Patients got immediate relief. Hospitals pushed to roll back the law following federal cuts to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies.
2026-10-21 09:00 UTC