In Dobbs’ Aftermath, New Report Examines Maternity and Infant Care Capacity of Community Health Centers

A new report by Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health examines the implications of Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization for the nation’s community health centers. Specifically, the report focuses on health centers’ capacity to mount a robust response to the expected surge in unanticipated pregnancies and the ensuing need for maternal and infant health care.  These challenges will be especially acute in the 26 states that either have abortion trigger bans in effect or are likely to adopt them. The report was authored by the Program’s Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative. The report’s findings point to the need for supplemental federal funding support this year to enable health centers to mount an effective response and build the capacity to provide more maternity care and family planning services.  It also stresses the importance of ensuring that health centers are familiar with the full scope of hospitals’ emergency care obligations under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).