Pro-choice advocates say rural West Virginians are losing access to essential health care, including reproductive care, amid federal cuts to Medicaid.

Nearly half of West Virginia’s counties are now classified as maternity care deserts. Emily Womeldorff, director of policy and campaigns for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, said one county recently lost another birthing hospital, forcing more residents to travel farther for care.

"If there's anybody that goes into labor before 32 weeks, then they're potentially looking at a really far distance to travel for that care," said Womeldorff. "We just saw a lot of attacks on the federal level, and that did also kick Planned Parenthood out of the Medicaid program, we're no longer able to participate in it."

West Virginia has one of the highest Medicaid enrollment rates in the country, with around 30% of the state’s population enrolled in the program.

KFF, a health policy and research nonprofit, predicted that around 55,000 people in the state would lose coverage as a result of Medicaid cuts.

Womeldorff added that, in the four years since West Virginia’s near-total ban on abortion went into effect, lawmakers have introduced dozens of bills further restricting access to abortion. Some have threatened limiting health professionals’ ability to provide care.

"It means that we lose providers," said Womeldorff. "It means that providers aren't scared to provide the care in their communities that they know people need because they're being threatened; of losing their medical license, of all of these different repercussions."

Despite on a ongoing shortage of OB/GYNs in many counties, lawmakers have allocated millions of dollars over the past few years to what are called crisis pregnancy centers.

The organizations often advertise medical care, such as free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, but are ideologically opposed to abortions and work to persuade women to avoid seeking alternate care or contraception.

Source: Public News Service