A Nov. 9 letter from a New Buffalo, Mich., woman raised an issue that is at the forefront of most people’s minds today the skyrocketing costs of health care. Specifically “Why should it cost $5,000 or more to have a baby in a hospital?”
She’s right–it shouldn’t. After all, pregnancy isn’t an “illness” ordinarily requiring highly expensive methods of care unless there are complica-tions. Young families have enough struggles today without the added burden of having to figure out how they will be able to “afford” to bring a baby into the world.
In recognition of these struggles, together with awareness of the importance of proper prenatal care, a program has been started that has challenged the high cost of pre- and postnatal care and that offers top-notch, quality, affordable and accessible care without regard to financial means.
The New Beginnings Maternity Program at Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines provides a holistic approach for the care of the mother, child and family, with all service provided at one location.
A person’s financial status shouldn’t be a barrier to obtaining this kind of care. Lab tests, office visits, parenting and childbirth classes, education, counseling, social-work services, access to high-risk specialists, labor/delivery/recovery, post-partum and pediatric care are all provided by highly trained, caring professionals including a bilingual (Spanish/English) office and clinical staff.
We must not forget who is at the center of our profession in health care–people in need. Now more than ever, the health-care industry must be creative in developing new ways of meeting these needs.
