A new mobile pregnancy and postpartum support van from OSF HealthCare is set to reach women in maternity care deserts across several Illinois counties, including Woodford, Marshall, Knox, Henry, Putnam, Bureau, and LaSalle. Launching on July 28, 2025, the van is equipped with a medical provider and offers services such as sonograms, lab draws, vaccines, blood pressure checks, and depression screenings. All care is free for Medicaid patients enrolled in the OSF OnCall pregnancy and postpartum digital support program. Women can self-enroll for these services. The initiative is funded by a $1.5 million grant, expanding critical healthcare access to underserved communities.
“These mobile units represent a meaningful step toward bringing pregnancy and postpartum care directly to communities that need it most.” said Cristal Gary, Meridian plan president and CEO. “By working with OSF HealthCare, we hope to help ensure that more mothers and babies have the opportunity to thrive.”
A $1.5 million grant from Meridian Health Plan of Illinois and the Centene Foundation is bringing expanded pregnancy and postpartum care to underserved Central Illinois communities. With Illinois facing numerous “maternity care deserts,” this initiative aims to ensure healthier outcomes for both mothers and their babies. In Illinois, access to maternity healthcare remains a challenge, with over one-third of counties identified as maternity healthcare deserts. Some residents drive nearly 60 miles to reach the nearest birthing hospital. A new initiative aims to bridge this gap by connecting expectant mothers to in-person care based on their location and need. When traditional care is out of reach, the OSF OnCall Mobile Clinic will deliver prenatal and postpartum services—including sonograms, lab work, blood pressure monitoring, and vaccinations—directly to patients. Self-enrollment is available here, or participants may be referred by providers. Details and enrollment options can be found at osfoncall.org/pregnancy.
“Faced with numerous operational challenges, many rural hospitals in Illinois have shut down their labor and delivery units, leading to maternity care deserts,” says Jennifer Junis, President of OSF OnCall. “Pregnant women on Medicaid in rural areas are statistically more likely to die of a pregnancy-related complication than their suburban counterparts.”
