A new study from WalletHub ranks Mississippi as the worst U.S. state to have a baby.
The assessment, which was based on measures such as cost, healthcare accessibility, and family-friendly policies like paternal leave, had Mississippi in the cellar compared to its peers. The Magnolia State ranked No. 24 for its healthcare-related costs, No. 50 for its access to healthcare, No. 44 for its baby-friendliness, and No. 49 for its family-friendliness. With all four scores combined, Mississippi was dead last in the nation.
“The best states for having a baby minimize costs while providing top-notch care for both newborns and their mothers,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. “They also continue to be good environments for parents even long after the birth, with high-quality pediatric care, affordable and accessible child care, and a strong economic environment that makes providing for a child easier.”
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When a family is preparing to have a baby, one of the biggest expenses to consider is medical bills. The average conventional delivery in the U.S. costs over $2,600 with insurance, and without insurance, it could cost nearly $15,000. In Mississippi, the cost is a little bit lower. However, the state’s troubling infant and maternal mortality rates offset any bill alleviation.
When determining the most ideal places in the U.S. to have a baby, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia, factoring in hospital conventional-delivery charges to annual average infant-care costs, to pediatricians per capita. With many of Mississippi’s rural areas being considered a healthcare delta, the state graded out worse than the rest of the field.
To view the full report, click here.
