One of the wealthiest countries in the world is also the most expensive to have a baby. A new study released by the Kaiser Family Foundation is showing some big numbers when it comes to expanding your family if you live in the United States: to the tune of $20,000.
With the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade, that number plays in an important role for women having to make decisions regarding pregnancy. The study looked at three year’s worth of health expenses that not only included delivery but outpatient services as well.
Researchers arrived at the $20k price tag by comparing health care claims for women who had not given birth against claims from reproductive-aged women who did. The number is actually just an average (so some pay much more) and doesn’t include any newborn care costs.
Moms who gave birth via C-section paid an average of $26k more on health care then their non-parent counterparts. Vaginal deliveries results in about $15k more, with both deliveries having to pay an extra $2-3k in out-of-pocket expenses.
Now for the even more devastating part: the study shows the costs only for care provided via a health plan. That means, any woman without insurance or out-of-pocket claim will have to shoulder an even heavier financial burden. Expenses like fertility treatments, vitamins and loss of earnings all need to be factored in to get a true picture of just how much it costs to have a baby in the United States.
If you’d like to see the full report and analysis, you can head to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.
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