U.S. maternal death rate higher than Europe's average

[FVA 0]

Probably has a great deal to do with the fact that many insurance companies won't pay for the mother to be in the hospital more than 1 day after birth. My doctor had to "recommend" I stay 3 days because I'd had a very difficult pregnancy, including early labor and other issues. That's just sad.

Especially when, once she gets out of the hospital, unless she's very lucky, she will have no more than 6 weeks paid maternity leave. In some cases, she only has maternity leave equal to her sick days, which is often only 10 days. It's a shame. Especially when there are countries that say a woman must quit work a month before her due date, and that offer subsidies to the woman (without any type of negative connation as here in the States) until she returns to her job. In some European countries, she has until the child's 3rd birthday to return full time to work and retain the same job.

in Romania the mother gets to stay home for 2 years after the baby is born, and keeps her job and 60% of her paycheck. The first 6 months after birth she gets 80% of her regular paycheck before taxes, so more than the usual amount. And I have to mention that individual health insurance is not required for this. Just social security.

i had a co-worker here in US whose wife had breast cancer, and after surgery and 2 (two) days in hospital, they ended up with a bill of $40,000. So at age of 61, after a life of paying social security and life insurances and all that, his wife had to get a job while she was doing chemotherapy, in order for them to have enough money to pay the bill...

on the other side, my best friend in Romania was suspected of having breast cancer at 28 years old. she got surgery and was hospitalized for 2 weeks, and didn't pay anything: it was all sponsored by the government. The doctor wouldn't even take bribe for it. Weird "undeveloped" country, huh?

Edited October 14, 2007 by FVA

[pedroh 21]

Probably has a great deal to do with the fact that many insurance companies won't pay for the mother to be in the hospital more than 1 day after birth. My doctor had to "recommend" I stay 3 days because I'd had a very difficult pregnancy, including early labor and other issues. That's just sad.

Especially when, once she gets out of the hospital, unless she's very lucky, she will have no more than 6 weeks paid maternity leave. In some cases, she only has maternity leave equal to her sick days, which is often only 10 days. It's a shame. Especially when there are countries that say a woman must quit work a month before her due date, and that offer subsidies to the woman (without any type of negative connation as here in the States) until she returns to her job. In some European countries, she has until the child's 3rd birthday to return full time to work and retain the same job.

in Romania the mother gets to stay home for 2 years after the baby is born, and keeps her job and 60% of her paycheck. The first 6 months after birth she gets 80% of her regular paycheck before taxes, so more than the usual amount. And I have to mention that individual health insurance is not required for this. Just social security.

i had a co-worker here in US whose wife had breast cancer, and after surgery and 2 (two) days in hospital, they ended up with a bill of $40,000. So at age of 61, after a life of paying social security and life insurances and all that, his wife had to get a job while she was doing chemotherapy, in order for them to have enough money to pay the bill...

on the other side, my best friend in Romania was suspected of having breast cancer at 28 years old. she got surgery and was hospitalized for 2 weeks, and didn't pay anything: it was all sponsored by the government. The doctor wouldn't even take bribe for it. Weird "undeveloped" country, huh?

that's one of the 'dangers' of socialized health care

[nivesito 0]

that's one of the 'dangers' of socialized health care

Why danger? I didn't get that?

Ok, I've heard about 6 weeks maternity leave in the States, I guess if you have to do it you'll do it, it's not going to stop me from having a baby. A friend of mine also told me that there is a lot of home stay mom's.

In Europe things work different (very similar in every country). I'll just say the way it works in Croatia. There is a 6 month leave where an employer pays max of 1000$ (obligated by the law), after 6 month you can choose to go back to work or stay one more year. In case of staying home for 6 more month state pays around I think 500$. But usually people got after 6 month, because nobody really want to stay home for 500$ :-) There is a really small percentage of home stay mom's in Croatia. Almost every woman work and health care is reasonably good.

It is heard to say which system is better, but I guess there are advantages and disadvantages in both.

[Marilyn. 340]

that's one of the 'dangers' of socialized health care

Why danger? I didn't get that?

Ok, I've heard about 6 weeks maternity leave in the States, I guess if you have to do it you'll do it, it's not going to stop me from having a baby. A friend of mine also told me that there is a lot of home stay mom's.

In Europe things work different (very similar in every country). I'll just say the way it works in Croatia. There is a 6 month leave where an employer pays max of 1000$ (obligated by the law), after 6 month you can choose to go back to work or stay one more year. In case of staying home for 6 more month state pays around I think 500$. But usually people got after 6 month, because nobody really want to stay home for 500$ :-) There is a really small percentage of home stay mom's in Croatia. Almost every woman work and health care is reasonably good.

It is heard to say which system is better, but I guess there are advantages and disadvantages in both.

I think he was being sarcastic....

[jundp 191]

my wife gets sick leave but the school system wont pay for those 6 weeks, fortunately she has a ton of sick days which she will use to get paid for that time she's not at school.. #######?! why not pay while on leave? also, she has to use my insurance, because hers treats her pregnancy as 'preexisting condition' and mine doesnt, mine covers it.. yeah. fukcin supreme health care coverage we have

Every woman can take up to 12 weeks of leave for the birth of a child. The FMLA says so. Regular leave seems to be 6 weeks for childbirth - which is outright laughable - but that can be extended to 12 weeks if the doctor deems necessary. Which is still laughable. The FMLA does not apply to folks employed in places with less that 50 employees and it does not address the issue of pay while on leave. Some family value oriented nation we are.

Yes, it is very sad. I work in a Catholic school...and we get no paid maternity leave, unless we've accrued sick days. We can take up to one full semester and still get our job back, but none of that is paid.

In Germany I know it is much different. My SO is pretty horrified at the state of "family health care" here in America. His mom is a midwife in Germany and neither one of them understands the idea of making the woman go back to work right away or for making her feel as though she is a degenerate if she needs public assistance.

in Romania the mother gets to stay home for 2 years after the baby is born, and keeps her job and 60% of her paycheck. The first 6 months after birth she gets 80% of her regular paycheck before taxes, so more than the usual amount. And I have to mention that individual health insurance is not required for this. Just social security.

i had a co-worker here in US whose wife had breast cancer, and after surgery and 2 (two) days in hospital, they ended up with a bill of $40,000. So at age of 61, after a life of paying social security and life insurances and all that, his wife had to get a job while she was doing chemotherapy, in order for them to have enough money to pay the bill...

on the other side, my best friend in Romania was suspected of having breast cancer at 28 years old. she got surgery and was hospitalized for 2 weeks, and didn't pay anything: it was all sponsored by the government. The doctor wouldn't even take bribe for it. Weird "undeveloped" country, huh?

Yes, this is very similar to Germany, and to what I know about France's health care from a friend who now lives in the states.

[pedroh 21]

that's one of the 'dangers' of socialized health care

Why danger? I didn't get that?

Ok, I've heard about 6 weeks maternity leave in the States, I guess if you have to do it you'll do it, it's not going to stop me from having a baby. A friend of mine also told me that there is a lot of home stay mom's.

In Europe things work different (very similar in every country). I'll just say the way it works in Croatia. There is a 6 month leave where an employer pays max of 1000$ (obligated by the law), after 6 month you can choose to go back to work or stay one more year. In case of staying home for 6 more month state pays around I think 500$. But usually people got after 6 month, because nobody really want to stay home for 500$ :-) There is a really small percentage of home stay mom's in Croatia. Almost every woman work and health care is reasonably good.

It is heard to say which system is better, but I guess there are advantages and disadvantages in both.

I think he was being sarcastic....

yea I was being sarcastic lol.. I don't mind a decent 'socialized' healthcare either..

[JODO 2]

Probably has a great deal to do with the fact that many insurance companies won't pay for the mother to be in the hospital more than 1 day after birth. My doctor had to "recommend" I stay 3 days because I'd had a very difficult pregnancy, including early labor and other issues. That's just sad.

Especially when, once she gets out of the hospital, unless she's very lucky, she will have no more than 6 weeks paid maternity leave. In some cases, she only has maternity leave equal to her sick days, which is often only 10 days. It's a shame. Especially when there are countries that say a woman must quit work a month before her due date, and that offer subsidies to the woman (without any type of negative connation as here in the States) until she returns to her job. In some European countries, she has until the child's 3rd birthday to return full time to work and retain the same job.

in Romania the mother gets to stay home for 2 years after the baby is born, and keeps her job and 60% of her paycheck. The first 6 months after birth she gets 80% of her regular paycheck before taxes, so more than the usual amount. And I have to mention that individual health insurance is not required for this. Just social security.

i had a co-worker here in US whose wife had breast cancer, and after surgery and 2 (two) days in hospital, they ended up with a bill of $40,000. So at age of 61, after a life of paying social security and life insurances and all that, his wife had to get a job while she was doing chemotherapy, in order for them to have enough money to pay the bill...

on the other side, my best friend in Romania was suspected of having breast cancer at 28 years old. she got surgery and was hospitalized for 2 weeks, and didn't pay anything: it was all sponsored by the government. The doctor wouldn't even take bribe for it. Weird "undeveloped" country, huh?

that's one of the 'dangers' of socialized health care

[FVA 0]

Probably has a great deal to do with the fact that many insurance companies won't pay for the mother to be in the hospital more than 1 day after birth. My doctor had to "recommend" I stay 3 days because I'd had a very difficult pregnancy, including early labor and other issues. That's just sad.

Especially when, once she gets out of the hospital, unless she's very lucky, she will have no more than 6 weeks paid maternity leave. In some cases, she only has maternity leave equal to her sick days, which is often only 10 days. It's a shame. Especially when there are countries that say a woman must quit work a month before her due date, and that offer subsidies to the woman (without any type of negative connation as here in the States) until she returns to her job. In some European countries, she has until the child's 3rd birthday to return full time to work and retain the same job.

in Romania the mother gets to stay home for 2 years after the baby is born, and keeps her job and 60% of her paycheck. The first 6 months after birth she gets 80% of her regular paycheck before taxes, so more than the usual amount. And I have to mention that individual health insurance is not required for this. Just social security.

i had a co-worker here in US whose wife had breast cancer, and after surgery and 2 (two) days in hospital, they ended up with a bill of $40,000. So at age of 61, after a life of paying social security and life insurances and all that, his wife had to get a job while she was doing chemotherapy, in order for them to have enough money to pay the bill...

on the other side, my best friend in Romania was suspected of having breast cancer at 28 years old. she got surgery and was hospitalized for 2 weeks, and didn't pay anything: it was all sponsored by the government. The doctor wouldn't even take bribe for it. Weird "undeveloped" country, huh?

that's one of the 'dangers' of socialized health care

yes, damn former commies!

[Lyuba 0]

In Russia you get 70 days of paid leave before the baby is born (more if you have twins or complications) and three years after the baby is born. And you stay at the hospital at least for a week so the doctors can make sure are are ok. If you need to stay longer, you just do and don't freak out whether you can afford it or not.

I have a friend who refused to have epidurial because she was afraid the insurance wouldn't pay for it. Should the insurance be a consideration when such decisions are made?

I even wrote our Senator about it, but never got an answer. American women deserve better than 6 unpaid weeks!

[Scott & Lai 12]

So, in countries where women are given years paid leave, where does the money come from to pay their salaries while they are gone? And who pays for someone to do their work in their absence?

[FVA 0]

So, in countries where women are given years paid leave, where does the money come from to pay their salaries while they are gone? And who pays for someone to do their work in their absence?

1. from social security funds and the employer.

2. the employer pays for someone else to do their work in their absence. i don't know the details, since i'm not into HR, but i think the companies get some tax benefits or something like that.

[almaty 19]

that's one of the 'dangers' of socialized health care

Why danger? I didn't get that?

Ok, I've heard about 6 weeks maternity leave in the States, I guess if you have to do it you'll do it, it's not going to stop me from having a baby. A friend of mine also told me that there is a lot of home stay mom's.

In Europe things work different (very similar in every country). I'll just say the way it works in Croatia. There is a 6 month leave where an employer pays max of 1000$ (obligated by the law), after 6 month you can choose to go back to work or stay one more year. In case of staying home for 6 more month state pays around I think 500$. But usually people got after 6 month, because nobody really want to stay home for 500$ :-) There is a really small percentage of home stay mom's in Croatia. Almost every woman work and health care is reasonably good.

It is heard to say which system is better, but I guess there are advantages and disadvantages in both.

I think he was being sarcastic....

yea I was being sarcastic lol.. I don't mind a decent 'socialized' healthcare either..

same here....better than the current clusterfuck

[trailmix 77]

So, in countries where women are given years paid leave, where does the money come from to pay their salaries while they are gone? And who pays for someone to do their work in their absence?

In Canada you can take up to a year of paid maternity leave at (last I heard) 65% of your regular pay. In a lot of cases an employer will top it up to equal 100%, at least for a few months.

The money comes from taxes basically. We have a system here called EI (employment insurance - read: unemployment insurance). Everyone pays in to it (employees and employers), you can collect it if you are laid off for some reason or quit - say to move to where your spouse is in the U.S. (ie: you can't collect if you quit just because you dislike your job). This is also the program that pays for maternity leave.

Employers pay someone to fill the position while the employee is on leave.

I'm sure all programs such as this are funded through either a similar program or regular taxes - it is how every government funds everything after all.

Edited October 15, 2007 by trailmix

[Scott & Lai 12]

So, in countries where women are given years paid leave, where does the money come from to pay their salaries while they are gone? And who pays for someone to do their work in their absence?

In Canada you can take up to a year of paid maternity leave at (last I heard) 65% of your regular pay. In a lot of cases an employer will top it up to equal 100%, at least for a few months.

The money comes from taxes basically. We have a system here called EI (employment insurance - read: unemployment insurance). Everyone pays in to it (employees and employers), you can collect it if you are laid off for some reason or quit - say to move to where your spouse is in the U.S. (ie: you can't collect if you quit just because you dislike your job). This is also the program that pays for maternity leave.

Employers pay someone to fill the position while the employee is on leave.

I'm sure all programs such as this are funded through either a similar program or regular taxes - it is how every government funds everything after all.

Ok, so where do the employers get the money to hire two people for the same position?

[Reba 2]

same place they get the money to have only one person to do the job. However it is that particular company makes its money is how they pay their employees. Same as in the US. How does an employer pay someone to temp a job if someone is out on extended medical leave and the first employee is still being paid sick time? Same thing.