MIAMI.- A ranking published today by the website of finance personalWalletHub places Florida in 42nd place out of 51 when it comes to bringing a creature into the world, making it one of the weakest states in the nation in this regard. Meanwhile, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Vermont occupy the top positions.
He ranking is based on a number of considerations, so to determine the most ideal places in the United States for parents and their newborns, WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia on 31 key measures of cost, accessibility to care medical and baby care. The data set ranges from hospital charges for conventional delivery to annual average child care costs for pediatricians per capita.
The reality is that even with the average conventional birth costing more than $2,600 for insured mothers and nearly $15,000 for uninsured mothers, delivery costs won’t hit your wallet as hard in some states as they will in others. Behind Florida, are states where the cost associated with childbirth would be even worse: Nevada, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Georgia, West Virginia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi, the state that ranks last.
Expenses, the study found, “can vary significantly, considering the wide disparities in the cost of living.” They may also differ from pregnancy to pregnancy, as some women experience complications during childbirth.
However, WalletHub warns that there is more to think about, it is not just about the cost. “Some states offer better quality health care and childcare environments,” the report reads, offering additional explanations from experts.
“Choosing to have a child involves financial needs, of course, and couples can benefit as they carefully plan how they can accommodate those needs,” said Professor Sean E. Brotherson, Extension Family Sciences Specialist with State University. from North Dakota.
“Potential financial considerations associated with raising a young child may include the cost of child care in one’s area, perhaps a more limited income if a parent works less due to child care, and basic child care essentials. child care, such as diapers or other supplies used to raise a baby,” he added.
