How does it happen in America ?

Question

It seems you have no free health care. So if you don't have a lot of money and you are going to have a baby what do you do. In Australia there are free (Public) hospitals and some doctors who's fee is covered by the government,or you can see a obyn through out- patients, so it does not have to cost to get pre natal care and to deliver your baby or your stay in hospital. You even get to see a maternal health care nurse for free afterwards (no matter what your income).
But it seems there is nothing like this in America , so what do people do if they have no health insurance to cover the cost? Are there free hospitals?

To masterdrv..are you telling me only rich people get pregnant in America?

Answer 1

Well, Different States have different programs. I live in the state of Florida. Here if you are below a certian income level (not sure what it is) you are available for medicade (or medicare- I really don't know the exact name medi-something) through your local health care department. Medicade will pay for your Dr.s appt. and hospital stay. We also have a program called WIC which gives you food vouchers for things you need while pregnant (Ex. Cereal, Milk, Eggs, Juice) and you cont. to receive these vouchers once the baby is born and it will even pay for your formula should you not brestfeed. There is also a Health Care Program for children if your household income is less than a certian amount called Healthy Start which gives full health care programs for as little as $8 a month until the child is 18 (and you stay with in that income level). This helps, but I'm in the Middle Class and I can tell you- there are no programs to help me. If you are a middle class American when it comes to healthcare, You better find a job that has health benefits (fortunatley I do), but I still pay out $300 a month for my son. If my work didn't help- I'd have to pay $650 a month for health care.

Answer 2

There are free clinics where a pregnant woman can receive basic prenatal care (doctor's visits). She probably won't see the same doctor everytime and she may have to wait a good long while. As for the hospital, others are right, no hopsital can turn anyone away in an emergency, however, hospitals have the right to turn people away if they don't see it as an emergency. For example, if a woman is in labor, but the birth is seriously imminent, the hospital can refuse her or have her transported to a different hospital.

There is also the option, if she is low-income enough, to get public assistence (including medical insurance) for the duration of the pregnancy and birth (and afterwards). If a woman is not low-income enough for the public assistance, but does not have insurance for her child (for financial reasons) her child can still be eligible for a form of public assistance where the child will have insurance.

Now, this is not to say that getting hold of all of this help is easy, but it is out there.

Answer 3

Oh yes there is!! If you are pregnant and have no insurance, you can go to your local Department of Health and Human Resources center and, upon showing proof of pregnancy (a free pregnancy test administered by a doc), you will receive free medical care during the length of your pregnancy and for a few months afterwards. You child then also has medical coverage for as long as it is needed (ie: until you have insurance or until the child reaches 18).

Answer 4

unfortunately the USA doesn't believe in free health care (how else would the doctors manage to make hundreds of thousands of dollars annually? truth is the rich in the USA don't care as they can afford it, the dirt poor don't care as they are on welfare (they it it free at hospitals and clinics) and the middle class struggle like hell to pay for some insurance, and what the insurance doesn't cover they end up making payments on for years. its a damn shame the way the system is in the USA, then they call the USA the greatest country in the world. Unlucky for me I'm American too.

Answer 5

No, there are not free hospitals. But hospitals cannot turn patients away. And most cities or hospitals provide some kind of financial assistance to pay for hospital stays. You have to go to the hospital's finance office and fill out an application and show proof of income, or lack of income.

Answer 6

Most of us don't have any health insurance or have inadequate care. Sure we have great facilities and doctors, but too expensive for most. It's big topic right now about way pharmaceutical companies price their drugs, discussion on generic drugs and so on. Many criticize our system for catering toward big pharmaceutical companies and their profit. Companies argue its free market system and many think its failure of our congress.

I heard in Australia drug companies have to show the government their new drug is more effective if they want to increase price, but here companies think that's stupid. Lobbyist just wouldn't allow something like that.

It's not uncommon for regular people to do fund raising events for their neighbors if someone is diagnosed with cancer or need big surgery. Many just go bankrupt when they get major illness. That's how it is here.

Answer 7

well there are two things, if you are low income and pregnant you are eligible for insurance through the family Independence agency (it used to be welfare agency).

if you are not low enough income to qualify and can't afford the hospital bills then it usually happens that you just go into debt. you see our hospitals must see you even if you can't pay and have outstanding bills. so your credit rating goes down, and the bill collectors call every day during dinner, but you will still receive medical treatment.

Answer 8

There is something like that in America. There should be somewhere you can go in your county. I have free health care from the gov't, so they pay for everything. Good luck

Answer 9

My nieces were taken care of through a special program through the state.

Answer 10

Of course we have free medical available to those who can't afford it, why do you think 40% of Mexico is now illegally in the U.S. ?