Cost of Having a Baby in Calif. Varies Widely: Study (between $3,000 and $37,000)

[The Straight Story]

Having a baby in California can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $37,000 -- a large variation that highlights problems in United States Healthcare, according to researchers. For a simple, uncomplicated vaginal delivery, prices ranged from $3,296 to $37,227, the research team found. For a C-section, women were billed between $8,312 and nearly $71,000. The doctor who led the study said that as a customer buying a product like eggs at the supermarket one can anticipate prices, "but as a patient, I don’t even know what things cost.” Patients do not know how much their insurers are paying on their behalf, and they certainly don’t know the price up front, she added.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/national-international/240680341.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_LABrand

[dipsydoodle]

1. Cost of having a baby in the UK

regardless of method of birth is zilch.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Which is why buying insurance is NOT the solution.

The problem is not forcing people to buy insurance from for profit companies.
The problem is sky high medical and drug prices.

The solution is beginning to be seen...Several medical practices are openly publishing their prices.
Some docs are offering "concierge" medical coverage, which is putting together a group of patients who pay an annual rate,
all medical treatment is covered ( tho not hospital rates).

We need Medicare for all.

and..FWIW...when I was scheduling my mammogram, I called the hospital to ask for prices.
They went out of their furry skulls, could not even began to have a conversation about it.