To Stay or to Leave?!?!?!

I apologize if this sounds rude.
I'm not sure you're aware Medicaid is a socialist health care program funded by the American taxpayers (like me for example and most of us on this site).
So if your question is would we rather you cheat the system and move to California so that WE can pay your medical bills or stay home and use your OWN insurance (however insufficient) and pay for the birth of your OWN child.

Obviously the answer is the latter.
Money is tight for ALL of us. First we take care of our own before we ask for hand outs.

Perhaps your mom can come to Utah and help out with the baby and finances.

ADDED***Wow, ok so when I read your original post I'd hoped you just really weren't AWARE that Medicaid is actually funded by taxpayers.
But after reading your So What Happened addition where you state you're actually a HOMEOWNER and an owner of TWO vehicles new enough to need CAR LOANS and you STILL want the rest of us to pay for the birth of your baby, I am just ASTONISHED! How in the WORLD would you adopt such a shamelessly ENTITLEMENT attitude? And then be SHOCKED by our response?!

I suppose in your next post you'll be complaining about our country's national debt? I can't IMAGINE how it GOT that high!!

WOW!

Stay in Utah. He is your HUSBAND and the BABY'S FATHER! I understand that it's your parent's first grandchild, but when your choice needs to be with your husband. Everyone has medical debt. Cheating the system is not the way to go. Stay where you are.

Sorry--I'm still stuck at the "my insurance at work sucks" part.....keep your job and use your insurance to cover the birth in Utah. Do you know how many people have NO insurance?

Seriously? 2 car payments AND a mortgage and you're applying for Medicaid? Good Lord!
Sell the cars for goodness sake and pay for your delivery.

As for the comments about fraud...you know what they say...if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck.....

I think your husband being there is more important than the money. Put it on a credit card and pay it off as you can, tighten up even more, get rid of a car, do whatever it takes to be together as a family.

Also, when you ask for people's opinions, do you really want them? Or just people that agree with your decision to go to Cali.

You have a job that has health insurance and you still want the tax payers to pay for your baby? I don't care if it sucks or not, at least you have something! My husband and I are both self-employed. The only insurance we have is for a major catastrophic event. Everything else we pay for. And that includes the deliveries of our last 2 children. I am healthy and low risk so we hired a midwife and had our babies at home. Much, much cheaper than going to the hospital. And much, much safer and healthier for mom and baby so it was a win win situation for us. My first homebirth from the beginning of my pregnancy to the postpartum care cost me 1700.00 and I was able to make payments. My second one cost me only 1200.00.
You wanted this baby so it is your responsibility to pay for it. Please do not contribute to the drain on the states already negative bank account.

Lisa

Stay and allow your husband to be part of your child’s delivery. That's more important than skipping out on the hospital bill. You can make payment arrangements to pay the bill.

Sorry but your post makes my blood boil. My husband works his butt off, we pay high insurance premiums, have deductibles on top of that and have to pay a percentage of the medical bills after our deductibles are met. I'm not quite sure why my husband should also have to pay towards for your delivery. Maybe you were denied for a reason. Maybe you two make too much money. We on the other hand live off one income for a family of 5, soon to be 6. People trying to work the system (moving to another state b/c they know they can get freebies) makes me so mad.

Stay with your hubby and don't cheat the system please! Get rid of one of the cars. How do you think the rest of us do it? For years my husband and I had 1 car and he worked crazy hours. We now have 2 cars but they are really old. It really bothers me when people try to take from others and don't see why it's wrong. I think it's funny the state you are trying to run to is broke, and you want to take money from it.

H., you asked a question. If you wanted an answer that did not upset you than you should have written your own answer.

I didn't answer your posting but I am offended by your "So What Happened". Part of the beauty of this site is that you get to read answers that HOPEFULLY covers all sides of the situation.

The people who said that you would be cheating the system, have a right to state their opinion. If that offends you, you shouldn't write a question.

This has motivated me as a California resident to see how I can encourage the government to make sure all states have the same process. (Hopefully more like Utah. For goodness sakes, you work, you can pay a bill then, why are you making me pay and anyone else who pays taxes? (And by the way, that's close to less than half the population at this point).

Hi there:) Sorry you are in a tough spot! I just wanted to throw out the possibility of home birth. It is usually a good choice economically and the care is good. Of course if there were a complication of any sort, you would be sent to the hospital, which would be financially bad. But if all went well, and usually does, you would be good to go and would not have to worry about all the insurance drama. You can just look online for midwives in your area or maybe ask around. There is a great documentary called "The Business of Being Born" that is very informative and can give you more of an idea if that route is for you. I think finding a way to stay with your husband is very important bc this is you guys child and is an experience very important for both of you. Take care and congratulations!!

I'm with Theresa and the mama above her who feel you are trying to cheat the system, and make me and other hard-working taxpayers pay for your delivery. You already have insurance. Medicaid has denied you for a reason. Maybe that's the reason.

You can't just move from state to state to get help. You have to have residency and you won't have that in California. (California is broke, by the way, because it can't pay it's bills.)

Stay with your husband and figure this out for yourselves. Make a payment plan with the hospital. Use your own insurance as much as you can. Ask your parents for help, etc. Be very thankful you have a job AND insurance. So many people these days don't even have that.

Be wise and stay with your husband. When my son was born, my insurance didn't cover any expenses for the baby. So I was left with bills totally over 6,000. I just reached out to each doctor and the hospital and made payment arrangements. Yes the hospital did turn my bill over to a collection agency but they were more willing to work with my budget and by the time my son was 5 he was finally completely paid for in full. He's 16 now and I'm thinking at times I need to get my money back but that is another story.

Stay with hubby and work it out.

Stay where you are - it is important for your husband to be there to help you through labor and to bond with the baby right away. I think that you would be taking away a great experience from your husband if you do that. I live in CA, I have medical insurance, and I still had to pay out of pocket for my babies because I have a $10K deductible on my insurance.....I think that you should not come here just to get free medical coverage, hospitals and Dr.'s will take payments. I understand that you are hardworking etc., and so am I, and I am just plugging away at my bills each month. I am not sure if I would qualify for medical or whatever because I never even looked into it, but I am guessing that I would qualify, I just think that there are people who need it more than I do.....It doesn't sound like you are one of those people either. Anyways, I vote stay with your husband, it is important for him to be involved!!

Bite the bullet. Stay in Utah with your hubby. It's more important that he is there than your parents and the financial aspect is only second to your relationship and the way he will be removed from participation in his own first child's birth! When you get married and start a family, that family unit needs to take precidence in your life. Work out a payment plan with your hospital for what your insurance doesn't cover. Money isn't everything.

You also might want to speak with a licensed midwife. Many times this is a much more cost-effective and family-centered option for having your baby. Your parents can even come to Utah for the birth or soon after to help you with the baby.

Best of luck to you. :)

You need to stay with your husband. I'm not sure why you were denied in Utah, but that's where you live, so you should stay there. Is your insurance just not covering a large chunk of labor and delivery? There are several options for you. Go ahead and have the baby in Utah and when you receive the hospital bills, tell them you'll need to be on a payment plan. Especially right now, hospitals had MUCH rather have someone on a payment plan that not paying at all!

Cari M. also had a good suggestion. Home births or using a certified midwife or nurse/midwife are FAR cheaper than OB services in a hospital. Many hospitals provide for delivery with a midwife and many OB GYN offices offer the service through them as well. Search in Salt Lake City and you're likely to find at least one birthing center operated by midwives where you can give birth at far less cost than a hospital. I have a friend down the street who didn't have good insurance, so she had a home birth with a midwife and a doula. It only cost $2000 compared to the $5000 (50% of the hospital/doctor costs) she would have had to pay delivering in the hospital. Good luck! Just please don't miss this opportunity to start off as YOUR family -with your husband and baby coming into the world. He deserves to be there and I think if you go to California and he misses it, you're both really going to regret it in the future.

*****UPDATED****Honey, you should have left off your "What Happened"! If you don't want opinions that contradict what you want to do or that are negative -then don't post and ask for people's opinions -especially when it involves getting government aid in a state where you don't even live. You sound incredibly immature -from the whole idea of running to mommy and daddy so someone else can pick up your tab to the fact that you don't expect to have to sacrifice anything to have this baby.

Guess what -I've got two car payments and a mortgage too! I used to be a SAHM and my husband got laid off when I was 5 months preggo with my 2nd, so we had to REALLY bite the bullet -but no one ever thought of getting medicaid. I am filled with regret that I had to go back to work 2 years before I planned to and am missing a lot of precious time with my youngest -but that's just the way it goes sometime! Hey -at least I got to stay at home with my kids far longer than many, many women. I would never consider milking the system by staying at home and applying for a bunch of aid when I could be working because I didn't want to change my lifestyle. Just because you're working doesn't mean you're not taking advantage of the system. Medicaid is basically for indigent people and those who don't have jobs and haven't had jobs for a long time and would never be able to pay for medical treatment on a payment plan or anything else.

Did you think having a baby was going to be free or inexpensive? Why didn't you check into what your insurance covered before you got pregnant? From your other posts this apparently was NOT an "oops" of a pregnancy. You didn't say your insurance wouldn't pay for your delivery at all in the original post. Why not? Most of them pay for some of it unless you were pregnant before you got the insurance. Guess what -failure to plan on your part DOES NOT constitute an emergency on my part! It also doesn't mean I need to pay for your poor financial planning. You may be a tax payer too, but now you want to milk the system so you can keep everything like you have it. Sell your house and rent an apartment or get rid of one of the cars. You are aware, aren't you, that the baby is going to need insurance and lots of other things that cost money! Are you planning to ask the people of Utah or California to pick up that tab too?

Here's a memo to everyone, especially if you feel that some people need assistance with the medical costs of having a baby after taking care of their mortgages and bills -if you can't afford to have a child, THEN DON'T HAVE ONE! Birth control is free at your county health office. Having a baby is NOT a right and it's NOT something you have to do. If you have an illness or need surgery -you can't help that, so I'm more than happy for Medicaid to exist to cover those things and for kids who are constantly brought into this world by unthinking parents. I don't want to see any child not receive medical care, but the rest of you who expect some of us to foot the bill for you so you can have a baby make me extremely angry. There will always be some accidents that fall through the cracks, but to knowingly and willingly get pregnant when you know you can't afford it and have to have government aid is absolutely ridiculous.

I would want to stay with my husband. But I just had to be put on a payment plan no one can afford to pay out of pocket for the hospital and doctor visits. I made doctor payments during my pregnancy without a job. And now still making payments to the hospital.

I would just stay with hubby where you live.You were denied medicaid why?Where I live it is automatic if your pregnant your covered hubby & you must have an income over the guidelines for a family of 3.Are you already covered with this pregnancy?If you move apply for the medicaid don't you have to prove your a resident there?What if you get denied there in Cali as well then what are you going to do?
My family is just 5 of the millions without healthcare coverage my hubby works FT always has we pay are bills I try to make payments but he totally disagrees we HATE DEBTS so we pay them up front.Yes I would love to get accepted for medicaid but our state is months behind on approving/denying so I have yet to hear back from them 3 months later.Our kids would be the only ones covered not us adults.I just want them covered till my husbands place of employment offers us insurance.He had a job but was offered another one recently only to get better experience,better pay,better hours,better health care coverage.I know what you mean when you say that your place of employment insurance sucks but suck it up I do.You were denied once the only way to get approved is to totally lose your job & insurance but then again why would you I have thought about going back to work just to pay for our medical bills things occur when you have kids & having a baby.Is there no insurance coverage with your husbands place of employment?
BTW us women will say positive or negative things on here it is our opinion why take it to heart?It isn't for you to say not to it is a public messagin board where all aspects of opinons come into play.
No you didn't mention that your insurance doesn't cover your delivery at all if "my insurance at work sucks"well that not really telling us it's not covered.

I would stay in Utah as well, you need the support of your husband at this time. Go to the hospital and Dr.s early and work out a payment plan, or do the midwife idea, which is a lot less expensive, or look into second party maternity insurance.

Do you plan on continuing work after the birth of the child? Do you make enough money to afford to go back to work and pay for child care? If not, then quit your job now if you and your husband can afford it. Your lower income amount will make getting medicaid easier for a short period of time if you are in a financial hardship. You may even qualify for food assistance for a while as well which can help with the costs, and soon enough you will all be back on your feet again.

In the meantime, you can cut corners, trade in a car for a less expensive one, make a budget... sacrifices we all have to make to make ends meet and to responsibly pay for our families.

It's tough, I've been in that situation and most everyone I know has been there too, but staying tight as a family and working through it as husband and wife is very rewarding in the end.

I think your husband needs to be there to support you and be apart of the birth experience for your first child. Why did they deny you Medicaid benefits?-it is because you have insurance at work? What does the policy cover? or did you not meet other Medicaid guidelines? What about saving up the money you and your husband would spend going back and forth to California and asking the hospital for some discounts? I do have a bit of a problem that you would move to California just to get Medicaid benefits and leave your husband out of the process.

Hi,

Congrats on your pregnancy! There is a insurance called pregnancy or maternity insurance- it is just for pregnancy and delivery- I would look into that. You can get approved and pay o- little amount. Good luck.
Molly

OMG! I can't believe anyone would bring up 'cheating the system' when it comes to affording having a baby and medical costs!!! Perhaps these are the same people who care so much for the fetus and disregard the actual baby??? I would feel offended too. Gosh, it's so sad to me that medical costs are so extreme that you would be in this position. It sounds like you have already decided but if it were me I would do whatever I felt would ensure my baby had sufficient medical care...and screw anyone who has a self rightious attitude! Seriously! This is a BABY! A human being! Medical care is vital for newborns and for someone, anyone, to suggest you are milking the system??? They need to re-examine to what extent their hearts are calloused and maybe ask a doctor how to have a human heart again...it's a baby!!! I'm sorry, I'm still shocked any mama would accuse a pregnant woman of this and hope they never have to experience a health crisis their precious insurance won't cover.

I had gestational diabetes when I was 29 weeks pregnant and in order to do what was necessary to monitor my baby's well-being I had 4 appointments per week totalling $1,800 PER WEEK! I had great insurance so didn't pay for any of it but often wondered what I would do if I had to pay. If I didn't have insurance it would have cost even more due to how the healthcare system works. It wouldn't have mattered if I sold my car to get a less safe 'beater' car as someone suggested or if I only shopped at thrift stores. The cost would have been astronomical.

The only thing I might add is that this forum is supposed to be to offer advice per individual question posed. Political views should be expressed on another website in my view. I only expressed my views to stick up for the person posting the question. It's unnecessary to be so political here and not helpful. I don't think H. has anything to apologize for in getting irritated and guess what? Nor do I.

Geesh! Please just do what you need to take care of your baby H. and know the vast majority of us 'tax payers' would prefer to have our money go to healthy babies!!! Geesh...shocking!

Best wishes and I'm soooooo sorry people on this forum of all places were so rediculously inhumane on this topic!

So I will try not to be negative :).
How long are you planning on staying away from your husband and in CA? You should take into account a few things.
1. You will be leaving your job early. You will be missing out on all that income...it could go toward paying medical bills to have the baby where you live and with your baby's FATHER present! Having had 2 babies and being on my third, I can tell you that this is pretty important. At least it was for me. I really needed his support while I was pregnant and during delivery. It is such a bonding time between the two of you...don't waste it!
2. When you fill out your paperwork in CA, you will have to list things like employer, spouse, all that stuff. Something is bound to not fit unless you are dishonest when you fill out your paperwork (and I WILL be negative about that...that is NOT ok!). Even if you do get covered in CA, you can get in some serious trouble for cheating the system if you were discovered, as a previous poster said, you would then be in worse trouble than you would have been if you had just stayed in UT and sucked it up.
Believe it or not, we all understand! The fact that your insurance doesn't cover your delivery is pretty terrible, but that is just how it is. Hospitals will often work with you once you have the bills, and if your income is low enough, will sometimes forgive a portion of it.
Last of all, LISTEN to what some of these women are saying! They are just trying to keep you from getting in trouble. Like it or not, what you are proposing is cheating the system...it is not an opinion, it is a fact. What we are telling you is that it may be tough, but it IS do able! Congrats on your baby! I am due right about the same time you are.
PS. I just looked up CA residential requirements and unless you lie, you will probably not qualify anyway (unless you still have a CA drivers licence). Good Luck!

My parents went through a similar situation when we lived in Utah with my baby sister(that was almost 18 yrs ago and it sounds as if they haven't changed!) They were disqualified because they counted my dads trucks(he had his own remodeling company) as assets my parents could sell to pay for the medical bills- well, they couldn't' sell them because my dad used them for work! It is pretty ridiculous- you have to be completely destitute in order to qualify.
That being said- unless you are planning on moving to California full time with your husband- I think it is morally wrong to go there just so you won't have to pay for your baby.
Yes, I know it is expensive- I am having # 6 in Feb- and money is tight because of this. But, we have cut down on A LOT! Start saving NOW- sell your cars and buy beater cars(a couple of thousand for each one) and you will no longer have car payments. Cut down on your Christmas shopping- everyone gets cookies or cards. Buy your baby stuff from thrift stores or re-sale shops- not new. And work with the doctors and hospital on lowering your costs. Meet with them after the baby is born and let them know your situation. Let them know how much you have and that you are paying cash and paying without insurance. They will usually give you a discount for at least one, if not both.
Plus, if it is found out that you are cheating the system(yes, it's cheating the system- even if it is a crappy system)- you will have to pay it all back plus some. That would not be fun.
Good luck! It sucks to have to worry about finances anytime- but hurts more when you are preggo!
~C.

Have you considered hiring a midwife? They are way less expensive, and offer a superior service, in my opinion. You get such personalized, focused care for way less than an OB. Of course, if you have a condition that would indicate that you actually need an OB, then that is different. But, for most of us, a midwife is the perfect choice for delivery. You might want to read the book, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, by Henci Goer. It is an excellent book about the various practices in obstetrics. Also, I agree with the ladies that say you need to be with your husband. Birth is one of the most bonding experiences you can go through as a couple. You need each other during this time. I cannot imagine not being with my husband during the birth of one of our children. Nobody on this earth could ever replace him in that role for me. Blessings, and congratulations on your pregnancy!

I agree... there is something that needs to be done.

1) you can go to California and try to get medicaid there

2) you can start looking for midwives who charge $5,000 for the COMPLETE time of prenatal visits, labs, ultrasounds, birth and 6 week check up compared to an OB charging $10-15K for JUST the birth, not including any of the prenatal visits, labs, etc. These are Florida prices.

Truthfully and personally, I'd go for the midwife!! Most midwife practices allow payment plans as well - OBs definitely not.

What does your husband want to do? Often times, hospitals will let you make payments and if you offer some funds up front you can sometimes get a discounted delivery because your insurance isn't paying. You have to ask for it though because it isn't advertised. I would look into that before being away from your home and husband. You will want to do some nesting, preparing and will need the support from your husband.

Not to be awful, but you should also think about the delivery. If there was an emergency, anything at all, who would you want support from? and where would you want to be in that case? I had a small emergency and had to be transported and I was glad to be in a 'comfort zone'.

Are you in financial trouble, or is it that you don't have insurance through either you or your husband's employers? AETNA has a good program, I've heard, for those that need individual insurance (though I'm not sure whether they'd accept you with your pregnancy).

I would talk to your health care provider about the situation, and then other state agencies and/or your church for assistance in finding help with the costs of delivery. Maybe call a women's shelter or WIC, to see if they have any other ideas.

And I agree if at all possible, you should stay in Utah with your family (you, hubbie, baby).

Don't quit your job and give up your insurance. How do you KNOW you can simply move and get Medicaid in CA? I think you heard wrong. It would be so stressful to find this out the hard way.

I had was diagnosed with Cancer at 19 and made $4 per hour, paid my own rent and bus pass, walked 2 miles to and from work daily, plus took debt to go to college. I did NOT qualify for Medicaid because I made "too much money." I think that if there was a way for the workers to help me or to game the system, they would have as I was fighting for my life.

The government does not really do all that people think it does. I paid for years on those bills and did without. Today I have a deep selfrespect that no one, no event can ever take away from me.

Go to CA there's a chance he wouldn't make it in time at home also. I can't understand peo. that say it's cheating who is it hurting if you don't get prenatal care or a medically supervised birth( the baby obviously ). SO then what if the baby is not healthy how will you tax payers feel about that you'll be shelling out for disability and nursing care so eat crow ? Instead of attacking her go Vote for law makers to get standard ins. to cover a pregnancy. Among other woman health care issues- but that's not this ?.
I am sure they have beautiful birthing suites in CA -good luck

I would stay with my husband. I would look into the reason why you didn't get medicaid. If it is because you made to much just quit my job. With moving to California you would be quiting your job and lose that income anyways.

i would stay in utah and keep after medicaid. enlist the help of the mormon church, which is huge and powerful there. even if you're not a member i'll bet the local relief society members would be willing to help you find insurance or a midwife service that will let you make payments.
medicaid routinely denies the first 33 times. don't get discouraged! there is help out there for young moms, and utah is very baby-friendly.
congratulations and good luck!
khairete
S.

how long is the trip from your house to your parents? Having had trouble getting out from under debt, I would recommend going to Cali, but that's just me.

The insurance thru the state/ govt are extremely messed up. I live in MN and with my first child (now 21 months) I was covered by medicaid thru the state, since I was not married and didnt make too much money, but I did have to "pretend" rent a room from my bf, now DH to keep it. I got pregnant again this past march, and I was approved, denied, approved , denied, over and over. In sept the state tried getting my bf for child support because we lived together. We had to get married in a courthouse at the end of sept so I could get insurance thru his work which is in the union. Im not trying to sound racist or naive but here in MN (and also Az because I lived there for 18yrs and my sister couldnt get approved there either) that if you are an illegal immigrant or minority you can get approved right away no questions asked. The first time I applied in MN I had a fraud investigator come to the house to question me about my application. It was complete BS. I would move to Cali, my sister moved there from AZ and got approved right away. If you can find a job, house and everything just move. Hopefully your husband can make the move also. Good luck and hope you get covered with insurance soon.

*Some tax paying hard working people do need assistance with health insurance. After you factor in house payments, bills, groceries, etc... there is little room to pay for further expenses like having a child. Medical care thru the state is also different then living and depending completely on the govt/taxpayers for food stamps and cash assistance. Not everyone who applies for medicaid wants other benefits, just the medical insurance.*

wel....l you are only 25 weeks preg so what about when you get to 30 weeks get a fewer hours at work I mean if you work the 40 a week are you able to ask for 20 or 25 hrs ? maybe that will low your income and you can apply for medicaid again, this is just a suggestion :I heard my sis who works in dhs telling this same to someone on the phone......on the other part I will not travel to Cali first if you want yor husband to be part of everything he will miss one of the most amazing things that happen in a family, and from my part I don't like the idea of traveling with a newborn I prefer to wait at home at least 30 days before I take my child out but thats opt to you... on the other part I don't know how this works but maybe do you think you can ask for emergency medicaid after delivery??

Are you able to stay and keep your job and maybe get a 2nd supplemental insurance? I'm not sure how that works since you are already pregnant, I was just trying to think of a way for you to keep your job/stay with hubby. Does he have insurance through his work that he could add you to? Good luck and congratulations on your little one!

I don't know who said how much a midwife would be but my husband I don't have any insurance and we are doing a home birth with a wonderful midwife! Her name is Rebecca Williams she is usually booked but I would call her. She does accept a few insurances. I am paying out of pocket so my cost is only $1900 and she works with you so that you can do a payment plan. Also, she only charges $16 for blood work and labs. I also have to get the Rho-Gham shot and she charges me at cost! She is amazing if she can't fit you in she will give you others who will do an at home birth. Also, it would probably not be as much b/c you are almost done with your pregnancy. But the biggest expense is the birth. She does your six week check up as well. Her website is greatexpectationsbc.com.

California will give you Medicaid I think that you should go maybe even think about relocating (easier said then done I know and I also dont know your situation) However I moved from New Mexico where we all had Medicaid and Food Assistance full coverage on me and my husband and children (a total of 5 people) We moved to Colorado where my middle son did not qualify for medicaid and had to be put on a CHP plan which is a small co pay. My oldest and youngest qualified for Medicaid the oldest because he has an absent father. Two of them were asthmatic which was the big part for me.Our food stamps took a huge cut because we are like a few dollars away from not qualifying for food stamps. It is such a hard situation because my husband has a job here in Colorado but was jobless in New Mexico. We live really clos to the border of NM and CO so we have been talking about moving to NM and him keeping his job here in CO (alot of his coworkers commute from the town we are looking at moving to) but the kids pay education wise. Either way you and I look at it these decisions are very hard. I know you are torn but ultimately its about the health of you and your child if you went into premature labor its a long stay for a preemie baby I had 2 preemie babies and expensive just think about the baby. I say go and get coverage

I would try to find a way to do it in Utah, or you and your husband more to Cali where you can raise your family there. I would not recommend going just for the insurance. Being stuck between a rock and a hard place is the worst. I wish you the best.

SO MANY good responses! I hope you listen to these Moms! My best friend is a single mom and had a baby in Sept. Her out of pocket expenses were around $7000. It is what it is! And, it's a drop in the bucket compared to raising a child through college! According to MSN Money, it costs about $250k to raise a child to age 18...that doesn't include college!

Plus, I'm sure you don't get any "extras" with Medicaid. I for one appreciated my epidural, private room, and extra night in the hospital (with my first). Oh, and just be thankful your baby is healthy. My 2nd was born with a heart defect and had his first open heart surgery at 11 days old. He had another at 6 months...and still needs a third. His surgery/hospital bills for the first 6 months of life were over 2 million dollars. Fortunately, we have FANTASTIC insurance!