Think school voucher program but for having a baby. The State gives each pregnant woman a certain amount of public healthcare funding that she can put toward their birth.
Program Structure:
Eligibility: Voucher programs typically have eligibility criteria, such as income limits.
Application Process: Families apply for vouchers, and if approved, receive a specified amount of funding.
Funding Allocation: The woman may choose to use this money for whatever they desire. Some examples are; doula care, homebirth midwives, birth supplies, postpartum doula support, to pay for their hospital bill if they choose a traditional hospital birth, postpartum physical therapy, etc.
Participating Professionals: Private hospitals and homebirth midwives must opt-in to participate in the voucher program and agree to accept voucher funding.
Women should be able to choose where and how to give birth. For many, homebirth is a luxury which is unaffordable due to the fact that medical insurance does not reimburse for homebirth, because a home is not a medical facility. This results in families having to pay out of pocket for something which, of all things, should be covered. In most cases, homebirth (including 10 months of care) is only 20% the cost of an uncomplicated hospital birth. We are being efficient and conscientious in our choices. Please, reimburse families who birth at home.