Request for Public Comment on the Updated Criteria for Determining Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas
Published Date: 2/3/2026
Notice
Summary
HRSA is updating how it picks areas that really need maternity care pros by dropping the Social Vulnerability Index and giving more points to how many moms need care and how far they must travel. This change affects communities with maternity care shortages and helps decide where to send health workers. If you’ve got thoughts, speak up by March 5, 2026—this could shape where money and help go next!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
SVI Removed; Points Reallocated to Shortage and Travel
HRSA is removing the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) criterion (previously worth 0–2 points) from the maternity care target area (MCTA) score and is reallocating those two points: one point to the population-to-full-time-equivalent maternity care health professional ratio and one point to travel distance/time to the nearest accessible care. HRSA says there were over 7,600 MCTAs as of September 2025, the composite MCTA score range is 0–25, and redistributing the SVI points would raise average MCTA scores by 6.6% overall while about 200 MCTAs may see a score decrease (largely those designated for Medicaid-eligible populations and certain low-income migrant populations).
Change May Affect NHSC Loan Repayment Awards
HRSA primarily uses MCTA scores to help distribute National Health Service Corps (NHSC) loan repayment awards to eligible maternity care health professionals. HRSA notes providers can apply using either the primary care HPSA score or the MCTA score of their site, whichever is higher, so some providers in areas with lower MCTA scores after this change may instead rely on their primary care HPSA score.
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