An investment in our future
In an era when access to maternal healthcare is dwindling across rural America, Johnson County Healthcare Center’s investment in a state-of-the-art maternity wing is more than just an improvement—it is a lifeline. As hospitals across Wyoming shutter their labor and delivery units, leaving expectant mothers to travel hours for care, JCHC is making a critical stand to ensure that families in our community can welcome their babies close to home.
Wyoming has increasingly become a maternity care desert. Over one in five counties in the state lack a birthing facility, forcing mothers to navigate long distances for prenatal appointments, deliveries and postnatal care. Nationally, the situation is also dire—over 35% of U.S. counties have no birthing facilities or obstetric clinicians. Those forced to travel long distances face not only inconvenience but also increased risks of complications. Longer travel times have been linked to higher rates of adverse maternal outcomes and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions. Moreover, the March of Dimes’ recent report found that in some rural areas, travel times for maternity care can stretch to nearly 40 minutes or more, significantly increasing health risks for both mother and child.
Despite widespread closures, Johnson County Healthcare Center has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing maternal care. The new maternity wing reflects the recognition that access to quality care is essential for community health. It ensures that women in Johnson County will have access to necessary prenatal screenings, emergency interventions, and specialized labor and delivery services. Additionally, this investment helps to attract and retain skilled obstetric providers, who are in critically short supply statewide. While state legislators struggle to find solutions to Wyoming’s growing maternity care deserts, Johnson County is taking proactive steps to safeguard the future of maternal healthcare in our community.
The decision to bolster labor and delivery services is not just about healthcare—it is about the sustainability of our community. Areas without maternity care risks population decline as young families seek more accessible healthcare options elsewhere. If young families continue to leave, local businesses and schools will suffer, and the overall economic stability of the county will be at risk. As the state grapples with long-term policy solutions, it is crucial that rural hospitals like Johnson County Healthcare Center receive our continued support to maintain and expand maternal services.
In Wyoming’s unpredictable winters, traveling for care is more than an inconvenience—it could prove dangerous. The expansion of our local maternity services means fewer women will be forced to make potentially treacherous drives on icy roads to give birth. This is the kind of forward-thinking investment that keeps communities viable and families safe.
While other rural counties face an uncertain maternal healthcare future, Johnson County Healthcare Center is setting a standard for rural healthcare resilience. The new maternity wing is more than an addition—it is a statement that our community values safe, accessible and local healthcare for every mother and baby. By investing in the health and well-being of expectant mothers, JCHC is securing a stronger, healthier future for generations to come.