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As a baby bust hits rural areas, hospital labor and delivery wards are closing down

Obstetrician-gynecologist Taylar Swartz uses an ultrasound scanner to check the health of Addie Comegys' baby on May 30. Comegys, who is due in late August, had traveled 45 minutes for her prenatal appointment at Mahaska Health in Oskaloosa, one of a few rural hospitals in Iowa still offering labor and delivery services. (KFF Health News)
Obstetrician-gynecologist Taylar Swartz uses an ultrasound scanner to check the health of Addie Comegys' baby on May 30. Comegys, who is due in late August, had traveled 45 minutes for her prenatal appointment at Mahaska Health in Oskaloosa, one of a few rural hospitals in Iowa still offering labor and delivery services. (KFF Health News)

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