Mirror, Mirror on the Wall – Who is the Most Expensive of Them All?

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royal baby-

It is hard to fathom but the newest British royal boy who was born in fanciest hospital ward in Britain cost $15,000. However, that is nothing compared to the average U.S. birth, where new parents are billed $30,000 and eventually pay $18,000.

maternity costs

Questions:

1. What drives the high pregnancy health costs in the U.S. as compared to other countries?
2. What types of separate fees are included in pregnancy health costs in the U.S.?
3. According to Rosenthal, what percentage of women had maternity coverage as part of their health care in 2011?
4. What amount do women with insurance typically pay out-of-pocket for an average maternity stay? How has that changed over two decades?

 

Sources:
Rosenthal, E. (2013). American Way of Birth, Costliest in the World. The New York Times, June 30 (Retrievable online at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/01/health/american-way-of-birth-costliest-in-the-world.html?pagewanted=all)
Kliff, S. (2013). The royal birth cost $15,000. The average American birth is billed at $30,000. The Washington Post, July 23 (Retrievable online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/07/23/the-royal-birth-cost-15000-the-average-american-birth-is-billed-at-30000/?tid=pm_business_pop)