Birth center care is cost effective care. 

Birth centers provide perinatal care at lower overall cost to the healthcare system as compared to hospitals. According to the National Partnership for Women and Family, a shift of 1% of births from hospitals to birth centers would result in an annual, system-wide cost savings of $189 million by 2027, while a shift of 20% of births would result in a cost savings of $4 billion by 2027.  

Important in this discussion of costs is the need to ensure that birth center care is fully covered by private and public insurance. Across the country midwifery and birth center advocates are advocating for public and private insurance reimbursement at equitable, value-based rates. California, Colorado, and Massachusetts have recently enacted reimbursement legislation, and efforts are underway in Michigan and several other states. Full compensation of birth center care is key to saving lives and money.