Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG) Certified Nurse Midwife Antay Waters recently appeared on the Texarkana Talks podcast to discuss the urgent challenges and innovative solutions shaping the future of rural maternal and women’s health care in Texas.
As a double board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife, Antay Waters brings more than 15 years of experience to her work in East Texas. In addition to her hospitalist role with OBHG, she serves as an assistant professor at East Texas Baptist University and was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Perinatal Advisory Council, where she advocates for maternal and neonatal health across the state.
Addressing Texas’s rural health care crisis
On the podcast, Antay shed light on the deepening rural health care crisis in Texas. Since 2010, more than 20 hospitals have closed across the state, and over 35 counties have no physician—with more than half lacking any obstetric provider.
“Rural Texans aren’t just statistics,” she said. “They’re real people—our neighbors and friends—driving hours for a basic appointment or, worse, skipping care altogether because it’s out of reach.”
She explained that the combination of hospital closures, limited access, and outdated legislative restrictions has created significant barriers for women and families seeking essential care in rural areas.
The power of nurse practitioners
A key focus of the conversation was the vital role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in meeting these health care challenges. She advocates for full practice authority for NPs—allowing them to practice independently to the full extent of their training and education.
“Every state that grants nurse practitioners full practice authority ranks higher in health outcomes,” Waters shared. “Texas has an opportunity to close that gap by empowering NPs to serve their communities without unnecessary barriers.”
She also highlighted how restrictive supervision laws can cost the state valuable federal funding, further widening the care gap in rural areas.
Building stronger communities through M-NET
Antay spotlighted the Maternity Network of East Texas (M-NET), a collaborative initiative designed to make pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care safer and more connected for mothers and babies across East Texas.
Led by the University of Texas at Tyler, M-NET partners with local clinics, hospitals, and community organizations to expand access to care in counties that have long been underserved.
“This program is about more than health care—it’s about giving families the support they deserve, closer to home,” she said.
A call to action for health care access
She closed her conversation with a passionate call to action for listeners to support legislative change and advocate for nurse practitioners in their communities.
“Good health care isn’t just about treating illness—it’s about prevention, education, and trust,” she said. “Texans deserve local, high-quality care delivered by providers who know and love their communities.”
Listeners were encouraged to get involved by contacting their state representatives and learning more through Texas Nurse Practitioners (texasnp.org).
? Listen to the full conversation
Hear Antay Waters’ full discussion on the Texarkana Talks podcast to learn more about how nurse practitioners are leading change in rural Texas.
See a preview clip from Texarkana Talks on Facebook:
Dr. Antay Waters Discussing Our Rural Healthcare Crisis
Texas is in rough shape with Rural Healthcare, and it’s worse than you may think. We talk to Dr. Antay Waters in great detail. Download the podcast here.