$418 in 1961 is about $4,438 in 2025.

I searched and the average cost for a vaginal birth in 2025 is about $13,000.

EDIT: I looked up The Long Island College Hospital and it seems like it was replaced by NYU Langone Long Island (also a teaching hospital). The bottom line is that you might be near $0 out of pocket there, as it was in 1961.

Wat? Are you saying that people who give birth in a hospital are sent a 13 000 USD bill afterwards? Like, is that actually what happens? I feel like I have to ask, because I actually cannot comprehend that being the case.

What if you don’t have the money? Do they expect you to just hold it in until you’ve saved up? Or do they just prefer that people give birth at home with no access to medical care if something goes wrong?

Are you saying that people who give birth in a hospital are sent a 13 000 USD bill afterwards?

Without insurance? Yes, it can be that or more.

What if you don’t have the money?

No hospital will refuse service in case of an emergency. I believe that it is actually illegal. They will send you a bill afterwards though.

What if something does go wrong and you call an ambulance, du they bill you for that afterwards as well?

Absolutely. For a lot of money in some cases. Do a search for ambulance service cost in the US and you will find a few horror stories.

What if you have no money for that either? Just… die?

Ambulances cannot refuse service in case of emergency, but they will invoice you later.