Can the Financial Crisis Help Lower the C-Section Rate?
Money and C-sections. They go together like, uh–well, they don’t really go together. Unless you notice that cesareans cost a lot more than vaginal births. Add to that recovery time in the hospital for mama and babe, medications, and follow-up care, and you can almost hear the cha-ching!
Washington state has a new cost-cutting program that may also dramatically lower the rate of C-sections.
They’re going to start paying the same amount for an uncomplicated C-section as they do for a vaginal birth.
And because C-sections in that state cost on average $5000 more than vaginal births, this will help make sure the motive for the surgery–the most common in the United States besides circumcision–are the best interests of the patient.
We are choosing to improve quality mostly by using carrots rather than sticks.
