I was deeply moved while watching David Anderson’s heartfelt monologue, where he recounted the terrifying health crisis of his newborn son. Like many others, I found myself in tears as he spoke. The line that struck a chord with me was, “If your baby is facing death when it can be prevented, your income level shouldn’t matter.” That powerful statement took me back to my own life-altering health scare five years ago and the conversation I had with my doctor that changed everything.
At 19 weeks into my first pregnancy with twins, I went in for what I thought would be a routine ultrasound. It was anything but; my doctor delivered the shocking news that I had an incompetent cervix and was in labor, despite feeling no symptoms. My cervix was opening, and without immediate medical intervention, my water would break within days, dooming my babies, who were far too premature to survive.
What followed was nearly as shocking as the initial diagnosis itself. My doctor laid out three stark options:
- Rush to the hospital for emergency surgery to stitch my cervix closed and endure strict bed rest for potentially four months.
- Allow nature to take its course, leading to the birth of stillborn twins in a matter of days.
- Opt for an immediate abortion, ending the pregnancy on my own terms.
For most parents in such a dire situation, the choice would be clear—every instinct drives us to protect our children. I quickly chose the first option, and my husband sped me to the hospital. As we drove, I couldn’t help but question why those last two options were even on the table. Who would willingly choose not to fight for their child’s life?
After an arduous 122 days of hospital bed rest, I delivered healthy twins who required no time in the NICU. Yet, about a month later, when I received the itemized hospital bill, I nearly passed out: one million dollars. Thankfully, I had full insurance, and my out-of-pocket expense was just over $4,000—a mere fraction of what I would have owed without coverage. Suddenly, the presence of the other two options made sense.
Back in 2011, before the Affordable Care Act, health care decisions often hinged on finances. I was fortunate enough to have the means to choose the expensive option. If my twins had been born prematurely, they likely would have faced months in the NICU, with costs that could have far exceeded my hospital bill for bed rest.
As David Anderson poignantly stated, “No parent should ever have to weigh the cost of saving their child.” Prior to the Affordable Care Act, countless parents in similar situations were faced with agonizing choices based on financial constraints.
Imagine having to forgo medical interventions simply to avoid overwhelming debt from a condition beyond anyone’s control. It’s heartbreaking to consider the families forced into such impossible decisions, only to start anew in hopes of a healthy pregnancy that wouldn’t be financially devastating.
I commend David Anderson for shining a spotlight on this critical issue in health care because there should only be one option presented to parents: the full force of medical care to save a life, without the burden of financial considerations.
For further insights into similar topics, check out our post on intracervical insemination as an option for those striving to conceive. Also, for those looking for a comprehensive guide, visit Make a Mom’s page on their at-home insemination kit, which offers valuable resources for prospective parents. If you’re seeking more information on infertility, the CDC provides an excellent resource that can help.
In summary, the financial aspect of health care should never dictate a parent’s ability to save their child’s life. As conversations around health care continue to evolve, it is crucial to advocate for policies that prioritize access to necessary medical treatment for all families, regardless of their financial status.