AIMS Journal, 2008, Vol 20, No 2
Elisabeth Geisel says Germany is leading the way
On Monday, 7th July 2008 a contract was signed in order to establish the amount which will be paid by all the health insurance companies for a birth in a free standing birth centre or a birth in the premises of a midwife. This amount is 550 Euros. This will be paid to cover everything beside the birth (house, cleaning, administration costs, heating etc.) The birth itself has been covered for a long time now.
This contract is an acknowledgement of the quality of birth out of hospital and will participate in increasing the number of women who will choose this option. The private income of the parents will not play a role anymore for choosing this option.
This is a way to reduce the caesarean rate! Go on with your efforts, Germany might show the way for this issue.
The AIMS Journal spearheads discussions about change and development in the maternity services..
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