Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG

How many potential parents think twice before unprotected sex? A report found that for women with private insurance, the average delivery cost was $6,520 and the average cost for prenatal care was $1,962, compared with $4,577 and $2,142, respectively, for women enrolled in Medicaid, the Washington Times reports. Private health insurers covered 87% of the expenses of insured women, who paid 8% of the remaining costs out of pocket and 5% from "other sources," the report said. Medicaid paid 92% of expenses for beneficiaries, who paid less than 1% out of pocket and 8% from other sources. According to the Times, costs associated with childbirth have increased significantly during the past 10 years. And, this is only the start. How many potential parents even consider the cost, effort and responsibility of raising a child, let alone producing one?