Kudos To McDowell Hospital, et al.
Posted by Advocate Aaron on June 18, 2009 · Leave a Comment
While many hospitals are jacking up bills and forcing pregnant women into debt – or worse, shutting the door on them altogether – some have come around to embrace pregnant women and have pledged to provide prenatal care and other maternity-related services regardless of ability to pay.
One of those is McDowell Hospital in North Carolina. A recent story by the McDowell News‘ Britt Combs states that the hospital is prepared to offer prenatal care and other services to pregnant women, whether they can foot the bill or not, and to help them get Medicaid coverage if they can’t afford it. The statement was in response to the closing of the McDowell Health Department, which previously provided these services (http://www2.mcdowellnews.com/content/2009/jan/28/hospital-expects-increase-maternity-patients/).
Pregnant women have many reasons – and often good ones – to be suspicious of hospitals. I have not checked personally with the hospital to determine whether or not any hidden fees exist if a woman cannot pay. Will they be sending a bill after-the-fact? If not, if this hospital respects the sanctity of human life more than the almighty dollar, then I say kudos to them.
It doesn’t matter if the services are being offered for political or other reasons, either – if McDowell is going to ensure pregnant women and their unborn children get the proper care they need, then the hospital should be lauded, especially in this day and age. And especially if they’re willing to set up affordable payment plans for some women and foot the bill for others – and treat those who are unable to pay with the same dignity and respect as those who come in with full maternity insurance coverage.
More hospitals should be like McDowell – but I want to know if it’s on the up-and-up. So… does anyone from McDowell care to give us the details? Your comments are welcome – and I’ll publish them
