Cost of a having a baby?

[SomeRandom]

The vibe I get from you in these type of threads is more that you think American citizens are not getting the care and coverage they should be, rather than any level of 'non-love' for America. Certainly when I complain about the high drug costs in the US compared to other countries, that is my frame of mind. It's not trying to denigrate Americans.

Well………yeah lol
I mean for example, I know in Aus some states charge for ambos (a practice which I abhor by the way.)
I happen to live in a state where that is covered completely by Medicare. Thankfully lol
So when I hear of Americans being charged by the thousands for such a service, my heart goes out to them. It’s not that I think less of Americans just that I want them to have something better
Something that quite honestly we take for granted
I think they deserve that
They deserve better

 

[ChristineM]

Uk cost nothing at source but you pay in taxes and national insurance all your life.

France it costs €1. The French health service pays most, again financed by taxation. Private top up insurance, which is compulsory, pays the rest. The €1 seens to be to bypass french laws/restrictions on free services.

 

[Estro Felino]

What shocks me the most about the US is that if someone has an accident, they will have to pay for the ambulance, for the emergency room bills, for the hospitalizations bill.
Emergencies cost 0 euros here, even the hospitalization. But if you go to the emergency room and you don't have an emergency, and still expect to be visited, you will need to pay the visit (which is an affordable price, btw).

Delivery is an emergency, so it is for free not only in public hospitals, but also in private clinics.
That is, the state will pay the private clinic for the delivery costs.

 

[SomeRandom]

What shocks me the most about the US is that if someone has an accident, they will have to pay for the ambulance, for the emergency room bills, for the hospitalizations bill.
Emergencies cost 0 euros here, even the hospitalization. But if you go to the emergency room and you don't have an emergency, and still expect to be visited, you will need to pay the visit (which is an affordable price, btw).

Delivery is an emergency, so it is for free not only in public hospitals, but also in private clinics.
That is, the state will pay the private clinic for the delivery costs.

I know right?
Ambulances do cost some out of pocket expenses in my country. In my state it’s covered by Medicare but others are not so lucky, hopefully we can change that
And I do rebuke such expenses as deplorable, don’t get me wrong here
But it’s still nothing in comparison to the US
Crazy

 

[Estro Felino]

I know right?
Ambulances do cost some out of pocket expenses in my country. In my state it’s covered by Medicare but others are not so lucky, hopefully we can change that
And I do rebuke such expenses as deplorable, don’t get me wrong here
But it’s still nothing in comparison to the US
Crazy

The fact that the US is a huge country should imply that healthcare should be administered by the local government and not regulated with federal law. So, for example, California can make a Californian NHS, whereas other states, if they wish it, can rely on private insurances. Diversification.

 

[SomeRandom]

The fact that the US is a huge country should imply that healthcare should be administered by the local government and not regulated with federal law. So, for example, California can make a Californian NHS, whereas other states, if they wish it, can rely on private insurances. Diversification.

It’s that Lack of federalisation that hurts them.
My government (and perhaps yours, I dunno) has federal oversight to ensure all states are performing to an agreed upon standard. For us it’s a standard set by much of the commonwealth, with years if not centuries worth of precedent. I don’t know about Italy though

My government ensures that no states are spending more or less for medicine or medical procedures than others are. And that coverage is the same across state lines
If you leave it to the states then it becomes what’s known as a “lottery of postcodes.”
Meaning that what you pay is determined by where you live and is not a good thing.
Indeed in my own country, for example, abortion is mostly done by the Private Health care sector and this is considered a problem. Since abortion is only partially covered by Medicare (medically necessary abortions.)

Meaning access can be dictated by where a person lives rather than an actual right to access such medical procedures. It’s being discussed on and off in our Parliament and hopefully in the future this can be rectified. (Folks are hopeful for such. Projecting a full service that is open to all by 2030. But I am a little more cynical.)
States need to be held accountable and that usually means the federal government has to step in to ensure that standards are upheld across the board

I’m a little unsure as to whether this is the case in the US though. It doesn’t seem like it

 

[Estro Felino]

It’s that Lack of federalisation that hurts them.
My government (and perhaps yours, I dunno) has federal oversight to ensure all states are performing to an agreed upon standard. For us it’s a standard set by much of the commonwealth, with years if not centuries worth of precedent. I don’t know about Italy though

My government ensures that no states are spending more or less for medicine or medical procedures than others are. And that coverage is the same across state lines
If you leave it to the states then it becomes what’s known as a “lottery of postcodes.”
Meaning that what you pay is determined by where you live and is not a good thing.
Indeed in my own country, for example, abortion is mostly done by the Private Health care sector and this is considered a problem. Since abortion is only partially covered by Medicare (medically necessary abortions.)

Meaning access can be dictated by where a person lives rather than an actual right to access such medical procedures. It’s being discussed on and off in our Parliament and hopefully in the future this can be rectified. (Folks are hopeful for such. Projecting a full service that is open to all by 2030. But I am a little more cynical.)
States need to be held accountable and that usually means the federal government has to step in to ensure that standards are upheld across the board

I’m a little unsure as to whether this is the case in the US though. It doesn’t seem like it

I see. Well...here healthcare is a State issue, so abortions cost nothing here. The problem is that getting an abortion is not that easy: there is the mandatory psychological visit (gratis too). The psychologist needs to ascertain that this choice has been taken consciously by the pregnant woman. And the psychologist can try to dissuade the woman, by saying that if it deals with an economic problem, she can give her own baby for adoption. Of course private clinics can speed up the process...

 

[SomeRandom]

I see. Well...here healthcare is a State issue, so abortions cost nothing here. The problem is that getting an abortion is not that easy: there is the mandatory psychological visit (gratis too). The psychological needs to ascertain that this choice has been taken consciously by the pregnant woman. And the psychologist can try to dissuade the woman, by saying that if it deals with an economic problem, she can give her own baby for adoption. Of course private clinics can speed up the process...

Yeah that’s a problem in some states here as well.
For instance Western Australia has such restrictions on abortions after 20 weeks
Legally speaking

 

[Stevicus]

And if abortion is outlawed at the federal level where you live, meaning it’s subject to the states of your country rather than a federal matter, do you think any costs of childbirth should therefore be assumed by the federal government?
As a sort of compromise?

I think the entire healthcare industry should be taken over by the government and its services offered free to the public in the same way as police and fire departments, roads, education, and national defense.

 

[SomeRandom]

I think the entire healthcare industry should be taken over by the government and its services offered free to the public in the same way as police and fire departments, roads, education, and national defense.

I agree
Only because that’s how it seems to be in every other nation, to be quite honest

 

[Estro Felino]

I think the entire healthcare industry should be taken over by the government and its services offered free to the public in the same way as police and fire departments, roads, education, and national defense.

We have a politician here who wants to nationalize the veterinary medicine.
By making a sort of healthcare service for pets.

She said that it is vets who are fighting against this proposal because they are afraid that their customers will all take their animals to the affordable public veterinary system.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I think the entire healthcare industry should be taken over by the government and its services offered free to the public in the same way as police and fire departments, roads, education, and national defense.

... because we all want a healthcare system as good as our roads.

 

[Kenny]

So I’ve heard a lot about the cost of giving birth. Specifically in the US.
Which is insane to anyone in a developed nation outside the US, to be completely honest
But I think it’s pertinent to the discussion thanks to recent events
(ahem R v W ahem)
So how much does it cost you to give birth in your country?

And if abortion is outlawed at the federal level where you live, meaning it’s subject to the states of your country rather than a federal matter, do you think any costs of childbirth should therefore be assumed by the federal government?
As a sort of compromise?

Have at it but please be respectful

Those are good questions.

It may be a little more complex than just 'what is the cost" and, as mentioned by others, it may depend from state to state.

IMV, it isn't so much as "how much it costs" as how does it get accomplished.

What I mean is, it may cost $12,000 but if you can't afford it, the state steps in and pays for it. Then you have those who have personal insurance, hospitals that can forgive any extra (in some cases)... so it can vary.

My daughter received help from the state of Texas - even for natural birthing at her home. (i think)

 

[SomeRandom]

Those are good questions.

It may be a little more complex than just 'what is the cost" and, as mentioned by others, it may depend from state to state.

IMV, it isn't so much as "how much it costs" as how does it get accomplished.

What I mean is, it may cost $12,000 but if you can't afford it, the state steps in and pays for it. Then you have those who have personal insurance, hospitals that can forgive any extra (in some cases)... so it can vary.

My daughter received help from the state of Texas - even for natural birthing at her home. (i think)

I’m glad the state stepped in for you

What would have happened if the state didn’t intervene? Would you have had to go into debt?

 

[wandering peacefully]

People complain about other people doing stuff like that here, but those that are complaining have never been in that place where seeing a doctor is an unobtainable goal...

Can you imagine all of the sick and then poverty stricken children who will be born here because the mother can't afford prenatal care, then primary care or dental care and then child care?

I don't believe the pro-birth people will step up and pay which means states will have to reimburse hospitals for all the services they will end up providing these mothers and children. Which costs are paid for by higher insurance premiums on the few people who can afford it and higher taxes to pay the state for their reimbursements to the hospitals, schools, health clinics, state food aid. On and on as the child grows. That is for the mothers and children who will even be able to take part in the various programs. Get a job that pays more than 20k a year? You get no services and certainly not enough to survive on.

This is the mess we already have when children are born in this country. Imagine adding all the yearly abortions to that pool.

It's too bad some leaders are unable to think past today and make poor decisions that effect everyone but themselves.

 

[Revoltingest]

...please be respectful

Have you forgotten where you are?

 

[SomeRandom]

Have you forgotten where you are?

Touché

 

[Fool]

So I’ve heard a lot about the cost of giving birth. Specifically in the US.
Which is insane to anyone in a developed nation outside the US, to be completely honest
But I think it’s pertinent to the discussion thanks to recent events
(ahem R v W ahem)
So how much does it cost you to give birth in your country?

And if abortion is outlawed at the federal level where you live, meaning it’s subject to the states of your country rather than a federal matter, do you think any costs of childbirth should therefore be assumed by the federal government?
As a sort of compromise?

Have at it but please be respectful

in the US abortions are more often used by the more impoverished; so yes I think the government should have universal health care.

great thread by the way

 

[Sand Dancer]

What shocks me the most about the US is that if someone has an accident, they will have to pay for the ambulance, for the emergency room bills, for the hospitalizations bill.
Emergencies cost 0 euros here, even the hospitalization. But if you go to the emergency room and you don't have an emergency, and still expect to be visited, you will need to pay the visit (which is an affordable price, btw).

Delivery is an emergency, so it is for free not only in public hospitals, but also in private clinics.
That is, the state will pay the private clinic for the delivery costs.

Emergency rooms, at least in Florida, ask for the copay right away, while you are still waiting to be seen.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Can you imagine all of the sick and then poverty stricken children who will be born here because the mother can't afford prenatal care, then primary care or dental care and then child care?

I don't believe the pro-birth people will step up and pay which means states will have to reimburse hospitals for all the services they will end up providing these mothers and children. Which costs are paid for by higher insurance premiums on the few people who can afford it and higher taxes to pay the state for their reimbursements to the hospitals, schools, health clinics, state food aid. On and on as the child grows. That is for the mothers and children who will even be able to take part in the various programs. Get a job that pays more than 20k a year? You get no services and certainly not enough to survive on.

This is the mess we already have when children are born in this country. Imagine adding all the yearly abortions to that pool.

It's too bad some leaders are unable to think past today and make poor decisions that effect everyone but themselves.

The anti-abortion folks see it as a punishment for having sex out of wedlock. It's all about punishment for not going along with their specific morality, which generally doesn't have much to do with the Bible and especially not Jesus' teachings.