Maternal Health Awareness: Idaho’s Urgent Challenge—and the Path Forward

Maternal Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to confront the realities facing pregnant and postpartum people in Idaho. Maternal morbidity, limited access to maternity care, and persistent disparities continue to place families at risk. The data is clear, and so is the path forward—if the state chooses it.

Maternal Morbidity in Idaho

Idaho’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) has documented preventable maternal deaths and severe complications across multiple years. The 2018 MMRC report highlights delays in care, chronic disease exacerbations, geographic barriers, and system‑level contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality.

Key themes include:

• Delays in seeking or receiving care

• Limited access to specialty services

• Chronic conditions worsening during pregnancy

• Fragmented coordination between specialties

• Workforce shortages affecting timely care

These findings reflect structural challenges that require structural solutions.

Access to Care: Idaho’s Maternity Care Deserts

The March of Dimes 2025 Idaho Report Card shows significant gaps in maternity care access, with many communities classified as maternity care deserts or areas with limited obstetric services. These shortages directly increase risks during pregnancy and postpartum.

For many Idaho families—especially in rural regions—the nearest obstetric provider may be hours away.

Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health

KFF’s Idaho maternal and infant health data highlights persistent disparities in outcomes across racial and ethnic groups. Systemic inequities—including economic, geographic, linguistic, and cultural barriers—shape who receives timely, high‑quality care.

These disparities are visible in:

• Preterm birth rates

• Infant mortality

• Access to prenatal and postpartum care

• Chronic disease burden

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Where Libélula Primary Care Fits In

Libélula Primary Care does not provide obstetric care. But primary care is essential to maternal health before, during, and after pregnancy.

Our role includes:

• Managing chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, thyroid disease, and mental health conditions throughout pregnancy

• Providing bilingual, culturally grounded care for Spanish‑speaking families

• Coordinating closely with local obstetric physicians to ensure continuity and safety

• Supporting postpartum transitions, including chronic disease follow‑up and mental health care

Pregnancy does not pause chronic illness. High‑quality primary care is foundational to maternal health.

Idaho’s Physician Shortage: A Self‑Inflicted Crisis

Idaho consistently ranks near the bottom in physicians per capita. Current data show Idaho has 50.29 physicians per-100,000 residents, compared with the national average of 57.62. Idaho also has fewer OB/GYNs per capita than the national average.

Why Idaho Struggles to Attract and Retain Physicians

• Restrictive laws limiting evidence‑based obstetric and gynecologic care

• Legal uncertainty for clinicians providing maternity care

• Too few residency training positions

• Rural hospital closures and loss of labor & delivery units

• Low reimbursement rates and high administrative burden

Residency Matters

Physicians overwhelmingly practice near where they complete residency. Idaho’s limited graduate medical education (GME) capacity directly limits its physician workforce.

If Idaho wants more physicians, the solutions are straightforward:

• Expand GME

• Protect evidence‑based medical practice

• Stabilize the obstetric workforce

• Invest in maternity care infrastructure

Was Idaho Ever Not Last in Physicians Per Capita?

Available data show Idaho has struggled with physician shortages for decades. The current workforce statistics place Idaho near the bottom nationally in total physicians per capita and in key specialties such as OB/GYN. Historical reports from the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare do not indicate a period when Idaho was competitive with national averages in physician supply.

In short: Idaho has been behind for a long time—and recent policy choices have deepened the gap.

A Path Forward

Maternal health outcomes improve when:

• Patients have access to continuous, coordinated care

• Communities have enough clinicians to meet demand

• Laws support—not hinder—evidence‑based practice

• Residency programs grow and retain local talent

• Primary care and obstetric teams collaborate

Libélula Primary Care remains committed to being part of the solution. We will continue to provide comprehensive primary care, manage chronic conditions during pregnancy, and partner with local physicians that practice obstetric care to support healthy families.

But Idaho must address the root causes of its maternal health crisis. The data is clear. The solutions are known. The question is whether the state will choose to act.

References

1. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Reports and Statistics. Accessed January 2026.

2. March of Dimes. 2025 March of Dimes Report Card: Idaho. Accessed January 2026.

3. KFF. Idaho Maternal & Infant Health Data. Accessed January 2026.

4. Health Providers Data. Physician Statistics for Idaho. Accessed January 2026.

5. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Maternal Deaths in Idaho: 2018 Maternal Mortality Review Committee Report. Published 2021. Accessed January 2026.