I’m Canadian. And I’m already sorry for asking an ignorant question.

I know you have to pay for hospital visits in the states. I know lower economic status can come with lower access to birth control and sex education. But then, how do they afford to give birth? Do people ever avoid hospital visits because they don’t feel like they can’t afford it?

Do hospitals put people on a payment plan? Is it possible to give birth and not pay if you don’t have the means? How does it work in the states?

How does it all work?

Again. Canadian. And sorry.

  • ozymandias117@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Do people ever avoid hospital visits

    At least in my experience, we’ll generally be able to go to the hospital

    Do hospitals put people on a payment plan

    Generally, I’ve just seen the debt transferred to a debt collection agency afterwards, since there’s no money for them to take. They’ll harass you, and it affects your credit score, but they can’t send you to jail

    • moistclump@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      Would a hospital ever refuse you care if you have outstanding bills or hospital bills with collections?

      • jeffw@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        It’s illegal in the Emergency Room. Anywhere else they can. Poor people end up relying on Emergency care, ignoring bills, and the hospitals write it off as “charity care,” which helps them justify their non-profit status, when they’re non-profits

      • ricecake@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        The hospital must stabilize you and save your life from immediate danger. They don’t have to make you better or solve the problem.