The former Keokuk Hospital is seen in Keokuk, Iowa on Sunday, Sept 23, 2023. The hospital closed its doors in October 2021 due to low demand for inpatient services, 18 months after being purchased by Blessing Health from UnityPoint Health. In August, the national nonprofit organization March of Dimes — dedicated to improving the health of mothers and babies in the U.S. — released a report designating a third of Iowa’s counties as maternity care deserts, meaning they have no obstetrics and gynecology services or birthing hospitals. Hospital closures, like Keokuk, are contributing to this care deficit. (Emily Nyberg/The Daily Iowan)