Five state lawmakers – three Democrats and two Republicans – are proposing the creation of a remote maternal health monitoring program.

The legislation is an effort to improve health outcomes for women who find themselves unable to access doctors’ offices with the recommended frequency for expectant mothers. Pregnant women should be monitored for signs of hypertension and diabetes, both of which can endanger the lives of both mother and child if gone unchecked.

The bill would launch a pilot program through the state Health Department allowing women to receive remote care, addressing the maternity deserts that have spread throughout much of the rural regions of the state. Sponsors include Amanda Capelletti, D-Norristown; Judy Schwank, D-Reading; Maria Collett, D-Fort Washington; Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Shamokin Dam; and Rosemary Brown, R-Scotrun.

The bill has been introduced as Senate Bill 965 and has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for review.

“Remote patient monitoring has been shown to improve health outcomes, reduce maternal mortality, and lower the overall cost of care,” write the bill’s sponsors. “This program will allow providers to track key health indicators in real time, intervening early when complications arise, and ensuring better support for expecting and postpartum parents.”

It’s possible that part of the pilot program could be the region served by UPMC Cole, a critical access hospital located in Coudersport that closed its maternity care unit in April. The maternity department’s closure creates a seven-county maternity care desert in north-central Pennsylvania stretching over 111 miles and impacting Cameron, Clarion, Clinton, Elk, Forest, McKean, and Potter counties. Closure of UPMC Cole’s maternity department means 21 of the state’s 67 counties have no hospitals with maternity care services, and nearly half of PA counties rely on only one hospital for maternity care. Situated in the north-central region of the state, the area is remote and vulnerable to heavy snowfall and potentially dangerous driving conditions, which contribute to transportation concerns.

In a 2023 report assessing maternity care in Pennsylvania, the March of Dimes noted that maternal morbidity and adverse infant outcomes — including NICU admission and stillbirth — increase along with the distance traveled for maternity care.

As UPMC Cole phases out maternity services, Warren General Hospital has stepped forward to assure patients that they will continue to provide labor and delivery services to those in need, including residents from McKean County and other surrounding communities.

“At Warren General Hospital, we are committed to maintaining essential services such as maternity care and labor and delivery as we believe they are vital to the health and well-being of our community,” said Mary Ridout, Director of Marketing and Communications for Warren General Hospital to the Times Observer shortly after the UPMC Cole decision was announced.