In today’s unsettling cultural landscape, there’s a growing concern that has caught the attention of many of us. Particularly in liberal-leaning states like New York, Illinois, and Oregon, the controversial practice of permitting abortions up until the moment of birth has given rise to a distressing scenario. Maternity wards within hospitals are facing closure due to a decline in childbirth rates—a disheartening trend that cannot be ignored. Equally unsettling is the fact that abortion facilities in the very same states are flourishing, profiting from termination services aimed at both local residents and those from other areas.

Recent revelations from The Wall Street Journal have brought to light the shutdown of maternity wards in rural regions, a consequence attributed to both a dwindling number of births and a shortage of medical staff. Prominent medical institutions like University Hospitals in Ashland, Ohio, OSF HealthCare’s hospital in Pontiac, Illinois, and Trinity Health in Troy, New York, and Baker City, Oregon, have all reluctantly halted their maternity services. This decision stems from a significant reduction in newborns born within their premises, evident in the stark decline from 184 births in 2019 to 120 births in the past year at OSF HealthCare St. James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center. Notably, even Trinity Health’s Samaritan Hospital maternity unit, which encountered a financial setback of $2.3 million in the previous fiscal year, found itself redirecting expectant mothers to alternative hospitals for their childbirth experiences.

Dr. Michael Cruz, Chief Operating Officer at OSF HealthCare, has voiced his perspective on this concerning matter. He remarked to the Wall Street Journal that there appears to be a palpable lack of demand for traditional childbirth services, a sentiment that has added depth to the conversation.

An alarming statistic comes to the forefront, revealing that a staggering 5.6 million women are currently residing in regions marked by either limited or non-existent access to maternal healthcare services. This revelation, championed by the March of Dimes organization, which tirelessly strives to reduce preventable maternal health risks and fatalities, underscores the urgency of the situation. Moreover, research underscores that the closure of local maternity units is associated with an elevated likelihood of premature births.

It’s truly perplexing to witness a narrative that fixates on the purported lack of abortion access, while the actual concern lies in the scarcity of available maternal care. This misplaced emphasis, unfortunately, distorts the perspective on the crux of the matter. It’s imperative for us to recognize this discrepancy and to approach the conversation with a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges at hand.