The statistics on rural maternal health are eye-opening:
More than half of all rural U.S. counties lack hospital obstetric services.1 Closures are more common in small hospitals and communities with a limited obstetric workforce.2 Maternal mortality and morbidity are rising.3,4
To address these problems, HRSA created the RMOMS program. HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) and Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) fund RMOMS.
What does the RMOMS program do?
RMOMS improves maternal care in rural communities by:
- Collecting data on rural hospital obstetric services;
- Building networks to coordinate continuum of care;
- Leveraging telehealth and specialty care; and
- Improving financial sustainability.
RMOMS aligns with important government-wide initiatives, including the HHS Rural Action Plan.
How long is the RMOMS program?
RMOMS runs from September 2019 to August 2023. It began with one year of planning, followed by a three-year implementation period. We are also funding a study to learn what helps and hinders maternal care—and hope to use these results to replicate the program in the future.
What networks are in the RMOMS program?
In fiscal year 2019, our pilot program funded three rural networks.
These networks develop models for maternal care in rural communities.
| RMOMS Networks | Locations |
|---|---|
| Bootheel Perinatal Network (BPN) | Missouri: Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott, and Stoddard counties |
| Rural Ob Access & Maternal Services Network (ROAMS) | New Mexico: Colfax, Taos, and Union counties |
| TX-RMOMS Comprehensive Maternal Care Network | Texas: Edwards, Kinney, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde and Zavala counties |
Where can I learn more about maternal health and the RMOMS program evaluation?
RMOMS Fact Sheet (PDF - 316 KB)
Maternal Mortality – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Maternal Health Learning & Innovation Center 
HRSA Maternal/Women’s Health
Maternal Health – Rural Health Research Gateway
Who do I contact about the RMOMS program?
Cassandra Phillips, MPH
RMOMS Program Coordinator
E-mail: RMOMS@hrsa.gov
Phone: 301-945-3940
1Hung, et. al. Access To Obstetric Services In Rural Counties Still Declining, With 9 Percent Losing Services, 2004–14 , Health Affairs, September 2017.
2 Hung, et. al. Why Are Obstetric Units in Rural Hospitals Closing Their Doors?, Health Services Research, 25 January 2016.
3 Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4 February 2020.
4 Severe Maternal Morbidity in the United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 31 January 2020.
