[Digory]

It's patchwork. They can't turn you away in an emergency, and Medicaid covers expenses for the poor. An uninsured family member recently had their unexpectedly complicated delivery written off entirely under the hospital's charity guidelines.

But I recall reading a vivid passage about ten years ago, talking about the difference between rich and poor maternity wards: the wailing.

Anesthesia is an elective expense in childbirth, not always covered by Medicaid.