All images via Google Images
In this project, each clinic we individually interviewed had services and costs that differed from place to place. The Northeast Regional Medical Center is the only place, aside from Homebirth, Naturally that permit actual birthing procedures. As the facility is a hospital is as well as an OB unit, they are by law required to take in all patients whether they are able to pay or not. They have many payment options for all income types: insurance by employers through the patient themselves, or their significant others, medicaid for immigrants like the Congolese and Hispanic minorities. They also offer “Private Pay” and special offers for the Amish community. The Lifeline Pregnancy Help Clinic is a nonprofit organization that offers pregnancy basics free of charge for expecting parents. They also offer counseling for the new parents, which cover the generals in parenting and the transition into raising children. They do not replace prenatal care, but rather refer clients to the proper services. All their services are completely free of charge, via donations and grants from the Adair county community. They also offer services are non-English speaking individuals, as they have a staff member who speaks Spanish and a volunteer who speaks French. Northeast Missouri Health Council, OB-GYN Specialty Group is the largest and oldest obstetrics and gynecology office in the Adair county area. They offer more services beyond those relating to pregnancy. They offer infertility services, Mammograms, Gynecology services, and even bone density scans. As a federally qualified health center, they must see anyone in need of care, just as with the Northeast Regional Medical Center stated earlier. However, this facility requires at least a twenty-dollar payment at the time of the service. They also have a hired French speaker for the non-English speaking populations in Kirksville. Homebirth, Naturally is an in-home birthing option for mothers who wish to birth in comfort of their own home. The staff includes two certified midwives, and offer most of the same options as those of a hospital typically would for low-risk pregnancies. They typically serve less than ten women in the Kirksville area a year. They have a six-week postpartum plan for the patients after the actual birthing process has taken place, to ensure the well-being of the mothers and babies. Most of the facilities investigated have a sliding scale, and see a wide range of patients. The most low-income seeing institution would estimate to be the Lifeline Pregnancy Help Clinic, as their services are completely free of any charge. The middle ground of cost would be the Northeast Regional Medical Center, and the Northeast Missouri Health Council, OB-GYN Specialty Group, as they are required by law tosee anyone in need; and they offer various payment options via insurance payments, or otherwise. Homebirth, Naturally, would be difficult to place, due to the fact that most clients pay out of pocket costs on a sliding scale, midwifery care is significantly less expensive than typical obstetrical care, and is only available for low-risk pregnancies.