All this discussion of fees has been interesting. What I see as the big issue is not seeing the "professionalism" of the LC. Volunteering is great! Being an LC is great! The two are not the same. We would never expect to go to a job and have our employer say, "You have been invaluable to me today. I don't know what I would ever do without you. Thank you so much for giving of you time and energy." Then patting us on the back and sending us on our way with no paycheck! We would never stand for this. But, because we are "helpers" we feel the need to do this with the women we see. When we see clients for free, we are no longer LCs, we are volunteers and will be treated as such by everyone (i.e., hcps, insurance companies, etc.). Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge proponent of sliding fee scales and free services when necessary. I just don't think everyone I see is poverty stricken. I also feel people need to pay something for my service. Even if that is $1. It all evens out in the end. The wealthy women I see have no problem paying for my service. Thanks to them, I can see someone who can't pay. I have spent lots of time and money getting to where I am today. I have a job. I am a private practice LC. I charge for my services, just as a lawyer, doctor or plumber would charge (I'm cheaper than any of those professions). We need to start seeing ourselves as employed individuals, even if we pay ourselves. Johanna Berger, LSW, IBCLC Bala Cynwyd, PA p.s. to Sandy: Just keep telling yourself it's your job. If someone else employed you, you'd be suing for back wages if you didn't recieve your paycheck. ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html