CONCORD, N.H. -- The House voted Wednesday to require insurance companies to pay for children delivered at home by midwives in New Hampshire if the mother's plan would have paid for the birth in a hospital.
Supporters noted that the federal government reimburses women for home delivery under the Medicaid program.
Currently, a woman with health insurance that includes maternity benefits must pay the entire cost if the delivery is at home.
Supporters noted that hospitals may charge $12,000 to $15,000 while a birth at home costs $3,000 to $4,000. They said some women can't afford to pay out of their own pockets for a home birth.
Opponents argued the bill won't save money and may put mothers and children at risk. They said that though midwives are supposed to limit their care to healthy, low-risk women, emergencies still can happen during a delivery. They said reimbursement for home births is cheaper until that happens.
The 226-111 vote sends the bill back to the Senate to review changes made by the House.
