Re: "SCOTUS decision favors FPRC" [Village News 8/02/18]

The executive director of the Fallbrook Pregnancy Resource Center (FPRC) commented that “Once they [pregnant women] leave our door we want them to be equipped to make an informed decision on their own.” The event of an unplanned pregnancy can wreak havoc on the emotions of those involved, so it can be the worst of times to be making decisions heavily influenced by emotion and not considering the financial consequences. And there definitely are financial consequences.

“The average total price charged for pregnancy and newborn care was about $30,000 for a vaginal delivery and $50,000 for a cesarean section, with commercial insurers paying out an average of $18,329 and $27,866,” according to a 2013 report by Truven Health Analytics. Medical costs have continued to rise since then.

To help a woman make a truly informed decision, I believe one of the best single actions FPRC could take would be to provide the services of a financial analyst/counselor. Such a person would be able to assess the woman’s ability to pay for any of the various options that might be offered and counsel her accordingly.

John H. Terrell