The link you provided seemed to use the same data as a number of websites, typically of a commercial variety. The number provided were averages and did not provide much insight beyond a summary number (e.g., the $20k you quoted). We all know the challenges to any "average" cost as exceptionally high data points can skew data (up). I was interested in finding data on median and even bottom quartile/decile costs, but was unsuccessful.
Eric's details on the various healthcare options available in the U.S., especially for those of lower incomes, prompted me to look further into the details around Medicaid (since I couldn't find the aforementioned raw data). I was interested in the support options for folks at the lowest end of the income/wealth spectrum. See the link below for some information (that perhaps Eric can affirm/refute based on his technical understanding):
https://healthlaw.org/resource/qa-on-pregnant-womens-coverage-under-medicaid-and-the-aca/
My summary read of this shows that for those of lowest means, in most states the healthcare costs for pregnancy and birth appear to be very well covered. To whit:
Correct. That is what I've been saying re; Medicaid coverage for the poor. Also, just about all hospitals have a social worker on the scene that assists people in getting signed up for Medicaid so neither the poor patient nor the provider have to worry about paying.
The poor have socialized single payer medical coverage. They don't pay a thin dime for anything. Of course someone from some foreign country can imagine all kinds of things about what America is or isn't. I don't know why anyone take that kind of foreigner seriously. The Shanes of our country have some sort of mental issue that prevents them from understanding this reality as well. They cannot be helped until forced to encounter a social worker; even then the outcome is not certain.
Americans who aren't poor want choice in healthcare coverage. They don't want socialized medicine. Polls and market research consistently show that.
It's my job to know what things cost. I have already spoken to what a commercial or ACA member's out of pocket costs would normally be for any inpatient stay (Of which labor and delivery is a subset). I guess I should repeat. $3,500 is the max for the ACA and is a typical max for the more affordable commercial employer groups plans. More expensive plans with richer benefits would have lower member out of pocket amounts. Actually, with the ACA, if a member qualifies by virtue of lower income, they can have a "silver" plan the waves all copays.
The typical uncomplicated labor and delivery stay at a hospital costs us (what we actually pay the hospital) in the neighborhood of $4,000 - it varies from hospital to hospital, city, region, etc., but $4K is an average. I should repeat that insurance contracts rates with care providers. What the providers bill is not what they get paid. They only get a % of that - usually something like 50% to 60% of what they bill. Many articles are written by people that don't grasp that simple concept.
True, if you forego insurance you will be charged the full amount. However, you made the choice to forego insurance. A wise person would put some of what they didn't spend on premium into a savings account. It wouldn't take long to save up enough to cover a $10K bill. If you absolutely cannot save $1K/yr then you are either irresponsible or you qualify for Medicaid or a subsidized ACA plan.
Like I said, the problem isn't the system, it's dummies that can't take care of themselves at a basic level, like making a call to figure out what's available.
If a patient didn't have insurance and paid the entire amount of pocket, it would be around $6,500;
maybe as high as $10,000 if they stay an extra day for some reason. That would be somewhere like New York City, where things cost more.
Again, if the infant is significantly premature, the mother has issues, etc it can be more expensive. It sounds like Alex and others here would prefer to just leave a premature baby on the hillside for the ravens, like they did back in the day - and mothers are replaceable too, I guess. Most people, though, want all of the best care possible delivered to the new born and the mother. They plan ahead, have insurance, and are able to handle the $3,500 (max) out of pocket.
Returning to the dummies - they are what they are. One reason I address the healthcare topic vigorously is that I know it inside and out and I know the propaganda about big pharma, about evil insurance, about $20 labor and delivery, etc causes the dummies confusion and to feel defeated before they even begin to try to understand what they can have. To me it's a lot like the systemic racism meme. Blacks feels like they shouldn't even bother studying and doing things right because whites won't allow them to progress. The real conspiracy here is the socialists who are interested in keeping people divided and down because that is the socialists' power source.