I had our first child via c-section in 2021. After insurance, we owed the hospital $10k out of pocket. We had our second child in 2024. To reduce our bill the second time, we limited our hospital stay to less than 48 hours (with a c-section), we refused tests and medications, and we didn’t eat any hospital food. After insurance, we owed $8k for the second child. We are a nuclear family living in New Jersey. We are educated, middle income parents just trying to get by. Having a child is absurdly expensive. Instead of shelling out $18k to hospitals to have kids, WE should be getting paid for having children and raising them in a nuclear family. The nuclear family element is critical. We should not be paying single moms to have babies. That’s a huge problem in this country already. Below is a policy describing how we can improve the birthrate among nuclear families:
In the United States, nuclear families—composed of two parents and their children—are essential to the foundation and long-term stability of society. Given the significant role these families play in the nation’s development, it is both logical and ethical to consider waiving all medical expenses associated with birthing a child and providing financial compensation to families for raising children in a stable, nuclear household. This approach can be supported by several economic, societal, and moral arguments.
Economic Stability and Population Growth
One of the primary reasons to waive medical expenses for childbirth is the economic burden these costs place on families. Childbirth is a costly medical procedure, and many families struggle to afford the associated expenses. The average cost of delivering a child in the U.S. can range from $10,000 to $30,000, depending on the type of birth and complications involved. For many middle- and lower-income families, these costs are prohibitive and may deter people from having children altogether.
By waiving these medical expenses, the government can alleviate the financial burden on families, encouraging more individuals to have children. This would help address declining birth rates, which many economists view as a long-term threat to economic growth. A stable or growing population is vital for the continued prosperity of any economy, as it ensures a strong workforce that can contribute to economic output, sustain pension systems, and support the nation’s welfare infrastructure.
Strengthening Family Units and Society
Nuclear families are often seen as a stable foundation for children’s development. Research shows that children raised in a two-parent household tend to have better outcomes in terms of education, emotional stability, and social development. They are more likely to graduate high school, attend college, and stay out of trouble with the law. These positive outcomes not only benefit individual families but also reduce long-term societal costs in areas like education, healthcare, and criminal justice.
Compensating families for raising children in nuclear households could further strengthen family units. Such compensation could take the form of direct payments, tax breaks, or subsidies for childcare and education. These incentives would encourage more people to prioritize raising their children within a stable family structure, which could lead to better outcomes for the next generation and, by extension, society as a whole.
Moral and Ethical Considerations
From a moral perspective, it is society’s duty to support families and children. Bringing new life into the world is not just a private matter; it is an act that benefits the entire nation. Children are the future taxpayers, workers, innovators, and leaders of the country. Therefore, it is only fair that the government plays an active role in supporting families through policies that ease the financial burden of childbirth and child-rearing.
Moreover, compensating families for raising children is not a novel idea. Many European countries already offer generous parental leave, childcare subsidies, and direct payments to families to encourage higher birth rates and support family stability. The U.S. can learn from these models, adjusting them to fit the unique cultural and economic context of the country.
Conclusion
In conclusion, waiving medical expenses related to childbirth and providing compensation to nuclear families for raising children is a policy that can yield substantial economic, societal, and moral benefits. It can encourage population growth, strengthen family units, and provide a foundation for future prosperity. As the U.S. faces demographic and economic challenges, such policies could be pivotal in ensuring long-term stability and success for the nation. Supporting nuclear families is not just about helping individual households; it’s about investing in the future of the country as a whole.