My first daughter was born in a birth center, and I was grateful to have the option. While I did not use Medicaid to pay for our care, birth should be reimbursed by health insurance regardless of where it occurs – home, hospital, or birth center. By only reimbursing for hospital births, the health industry is corralling women into decisions about their birth that are not necessarily their choice; it becomes a financial decision. Birth should involve conscious, empowered choice, and we need to have options in order to have a choice.
Dear Mothers and Friends:
Pregnant Women’s Access to Care is in danger in many States. Over 43% of women’s pregnancy care is paid for by the Medicaid program; an additional 18% of pregnant women have no health insurance.
Action by the Federal Government has jeopardized the financial stability of our birth centers. I am asking you and your friends to sign on to a letter to the United States Congress to fix this problem. As a Mother and Grandmother of twin girls, I cannot stand back and let pregnant women be left with no care.
We need 10,000 signatures by May 31st to ensure that all pregnant women have access to quality, affordable health care. Stop the Federal Government from excluding pregnant women from receiving the care they deserve.
Go to the American Association of Birth Centers website and sign our consumer letter. You can make a difference!
Sincerely,
Karen S. Fennell, MS, RN
Consultant
Healthcare Advisory Solutions
Thanks to Advocate Aaron for bringing this situation to my attention. I have signed the petition. Please sign if you are so moved.
