Strollerderby
U.S. Birth Centers in Danger of Closing
Everyone likes a best of both worlds solution, right? For many pregnant women, birth centers provide just that. For low-risk pregnancies, they are a comfortable, calm, non-hospital atmosphere in which to give birth. They often have pools, and kitchens for family members to cook in. They don’t separate mother and baby after birth, but check vitals right there. And yet, for those uncomfortable with birthing at home, there are also a staffed and equipped medical facility, usually quite near a hospital and with established transfer protocols in place. They are often crucial in rural areas where hospitals are few and far between.
And yet, after 20 years, the federal Medicaid agency has all of a sudden begun to refuse to pay for them. (Why? Do they prefer to pay tons more for a hospital birth?) The agency claims there is nothing specifically in any legislation saying that it’s a covered cost. (Ah, I see. Bureaucracy strikes again.)
This is not merely a case of the poor getting screwed either notes the American Association of Birth Centers. Other payers follow Medicaid’s example, they say. Basically, if the law isn’t changed, pronto, freestanding birth centers will be fighting for their financial lives. Many are already suffering from refused payments.
There is a chance to clarify the law when the SCHIP bill passes, but it has to be done before the Christmass recess, so AABC is asking everyone to call their congresspeople and let them know that this is in fact important
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4 Comments
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amSorry, meant to say, “after laboring for two days and pushing for four hours. Baby was not in distress so they let me go and I avoided major surgery.” Makes more sense:o)
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amI had my nine pound boy naturally in a birth center after laboring for two days and pushing . I had the best birth experience of anyone I know. My birth center has now closed down and it is so disheartening to consider giving birth in a hospital setting. I know that a birth center is not for everyone but for a person like me it was very empowering to be able to make a choice about my birth environment.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amI gave birth 16 days ago naturally in a birth center in Connecticut. It was the only place I could ever have imagined having my son. The experience of going through my whole pregnancy with the midwives of the center as my guides was something I wish more women would seek out. Every pregnant woman I encounter I try to steer towards this birth center.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 ambad news indeed. I had my baby nearly two years ago at the just opened birth center here in town. They recently lost their obstetrician (died suddenly) and now with this I fear they’ll close. Such a shame, a great way to have a baby if you are low risk and don’t like hospitals but have REALLY anxious future grandparents.
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