Midwives at the Capitol Telling Taxpayers How to Save $9 Billion

Armed with research by Dr. David Anderson, an economist at Centre College in Kentucky, representatives from the Midwives Association of Florida were in the Capitol today to highlight their profession and the economic impact more of them could have in the state.

Andersons numbers show that only 1 percent of the 4.3 million annual births in America were performed outside of hospitals by midwives. With home births averaging $2,400 as opposed to the $5,318 average for birth centers and $8,500 average for hospital deliveries, the midwives argue that an increase in their ranks would substantially save consumers and taxpayers money. They estimate that if the number of home births increased up to 5 percent, taxpayers would be off the hook for more than $9 billion.

While there are only 125 midwives in Florida, that number is on the rise. There are five accredited midwife schools in the state with more than 80 students currently enrolled.