Hailey Drew, who gave birth in the US last month, has been left stunned after receiving a huge hospital bill following the birth of her daughter – despite getting the ‘bare minimum’ at the hospital
A mum in the US was left utterly shocked after she received a jaw-dropping bill for giving birth to her daughter, despite having health insurance.
While we in the UK often grumble about the NHS, we cannot deny the luxury of free healthcare, especially when it comes to maternity care. British mums-to-be know that from prenatal check-ups to the delivery itself, whether natural or via C-section, their costs are covered simply by being a UK resident.
Across the pond, however, the story is quite different, with healthcare hinging on private insurance and state schemes.
Lifestyle influencer Hailey Drew, who recently became a mother to baby Frankie Drew, has been candidly sharing her journey into motherhood online, including some harsh realities. She was floored when she got her medical bill, despite having an “unmedicated” birth, walking in, delivering her baby, and leaving the next day without any postnatal meds.
On her social media handle @haileydrewpolk, she revealed the staggering cost: $9,136 (£7,059).
Despite having health insurance, Hailey found out that her policy did not cover the birth. The baffling nature of American healthcare sparked debate among her followers, with one asking, “America is so confusing, what’s the point in insurance if you still have to pay?” Another US resident chimed in, admitting, “We don’t know. They actually make it so we can’t understand.”
One woman shared her own experience of being billed $90K (£69,592), with insurance covering most of it but still leaving her with a $1,500 (£1,159.34) bill to pay.
According to research by Fair Health, giving birth doesn’t come cheap in the States. The average cost for a vaginal delivery hits the wallet at $28,654, while those opting for C-sections can expect to fork out an eye-watering $37,653 on average.
Hailey didn’t mince her words, declaring: “So if you pull up, about to pop the baby out, say no to the drugs, you’re still walking out of there with about ten grand [to pay]. And that is if your baby needs nothing. My baby needed nothing, they barely touch here. So there you go.”
Online pundits were quick to throw their two cents in, with one aghast user saying, “This is insane,” while another weighed in, decrying “American healthcare is a con,” to which Hailey agreed, “For sure,”.
A furious commenter exclaimed, “Being charged to give birth is criminal,” and from across the pond, someone boasted, “I’m so glad I live in the UK,” followed by a fellow Brit who joked alongside their national health service, “Laughs in NHS,” Another couldn’t resist chiming in: “You couldn’t even pay me to live in America. That’s insane!”.
It wasn’t just Brits showing sympathy pains; an Irish user shared, “Ouch! I’m in Ireland. Had an induction, followed by emergency section, 2 haemorrhage and blood transfusions. Lots of in house physio and admitted for a week. Baby needed NICU for 8 days, lots of tests, cpap, feeding tubes, jaundice treatment, bill = 0.”
Another said gratefully, “What? So glad I live in Scotland. 3 babies, 3 C-sections…..zero dollars! Thank God for the NHS. Glad you and baby are all good and healthy.”
Even an Aussie got into the mix, “So thankful for Australia’s health care. 3 babies, 2 epidurals, 4days in hospital, stitches and all my aftercare = $0. Plus we walk away with a goodie bag full of bits and pieces!”.
