I don't even want to get into the debate about whether a longer stay in the
hospital is detrimental or helpful to the breastfeeding relationship.  I do
want to comment that a mother is always eligible to stay in the hospital as
long as her doctor thinks it is necessary, whether or not the insurance
company pays for it.  The mother will have to pay the bill, of course, but
that is perfectly reasonable.

One of my pet peeves is people who think they have NO OPTION if the
insurance company won't pay.  They seem to forget, or not to realize, that
they can just pay for it themselves.  And yes, of course I realize that some
people can't afford it.  But I'm referring to theidea that some people have
that they literally CANNOT have something if their insurance company won't
pay for it.  Like, "I can't get the medicine my doctor prescribed because
it's not on my insurance company's formulary."  I've seen more than a few
people be flabbergasted when I told them that of course they could get it --
they take the prescription to a pharmacy, and they write a check for the
cost.  Sometimes medical care and medication costs are out of reach, but
often they are not.  And perhaps people would be willing to pay out of their
own pocket -- they just don't seem to realize this is an option.

Kathy Dettwyler

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