Click for PDF: http://www.akdemocrats.org/sponsor/SB022_ss_sen_davis.pdf

Currently in Alaska, Medicaid does not cover licensed birthing center facility fees, often forcing pregnant women to choose a hospital birth where costs to the state are significantly greater than those at a birthing center. The average cost from four hospitals in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau of a "natural" birth is $3,667.00. This figure does not include epidural anesthesia or the use of pitocin to enhance the strength of labor, internal fetal monitoring and forceps or vacuum assisted deliveries. A cesarean section on average would cost an additional $4,385.75. The facility fees for three birthing centers in Alaska averages $1,400.00.

If birthing center facility fees were to be reimbursed by Medicaid or Denali KidCare, the option of a birth center birth could be made available to even more women. It's a logical step towards saving the state money and allowing families on the Denali KidCare program to choose their preferred location to give birth. I urge you to support the passage of this legislation.


Extras: SB22 Bill Root