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PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nationally recognized law firm Berger Montague PC informs investors that a lawsuit was filed against Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc. (“Evolv” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: EVLV) on behalf of purchasers of EVOLV securities between August 19, 2022 and October 30, 2024, inclusive (the “Class Period”) . Investors that suffered losses from EVOLV (NASDAQ: EVLV) investments can follow the link below for more information regarding the lawsuit: CLICK HERE to learn more about the lawsuit. Investors who purchased or acquired EVOLV securities during the Class Period may, no later than DECEMBER 31, 2024 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. Headquartered in Waltham, MA, Evolv is a security technology company that utilizes AI-based screening designed to help create safer experiences. On October 25, 2024, Evolv announced that the Company's financial statements issued between the second quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2024 should not be relied upon due to material misstatements impacting revenue recognition. The Company revealed that certain sales, including sales to one of its largest channel partners, were subject to extra-contractual terms not shared with the Company's accounting personnel and that certain Evolv personnel had engaged in misconduct. The Company further announced that it had self-reported these issues to the Securities and Exchange Commission. On this news, the price of Evolv stock declined approximately 40%, from a close of $4.10 per share on October 24, 2024, to a close of $2.47 per share on October 25, 2024. On October 31, 2024, Evolv announced the termination of its CEO, Peter George, effective immediately. On this news, the price of Evolv stock declined approximately 8%, from a close of $2.34 per share on October 30, 2024, to a close of $2.15 per share on October 31, 2024. For additional information or to learn how to participate in this litigation, please contact Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at aabramowitz@bm.net or (215) 875-3015, or Peter Hamner at phamner@bm.net or (215) 875-3048, or CLICK HERE . A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not, however, affected by the decision whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. Communicating with any counsel is not necessary to participate or share in any recovery achieved in this case. Any member of the purported class may move the Court to serve as a lead plaintiff through counsel of his/her choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an inactive class member. Berger Montague , with offices in Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Delaware, Washington, D.C., San Diego, San Francisco and Chicago, has been a pioneer in securities class action litigation since its founding in 1970. Berger Montague has represented individual and institutional investors for over five decades and serves as lead counsel in courts throughout the United States. Contacts: Andrew Abramowitz, Senior Counsel Berger Montague (215) 875-3015 aabramowitz@bm.net Peter Hamner Berger Montague PC (215) 875-3048 phamner@bm.net

2024 Lupus Research Alliance Gala Raises Millions to Improve Lives of People with LupusChildren and their parents are being told in an Usborne book that refugees “enrich our country”. Usborne has published a book for ages seven and up called Lift the Flap: Questions and Answers About Refugees, which informs readers that “we all have roots in other countries”. Teaching material has been provided alongside the book which sets out classroom activities including having children write to MPs to express how much refugees “enrich our countries”. Further guidance seeks to educate mothers and fathers on the importance of their children learning about the “array of multicultural foods” and “population numbers” provided by refugees who also drive “growth”. The book, which has been branded “indoctrination” by critics, has been stocked by local council libraries, and free copies have been distributed to schools following its release in 2023. The children’s book was created with help from the Refugee Council, and contains 14 illustrated pages with lifting flaps providing answers to questions about issues . One page covers the “big risks” faced by those in small boats, while another page is titled “Refugees Welcome”, and shows a crowd with placards stating “our home is your home” and “bridges not borders”. The final page urges children to talk about how “we all have roots in other countries”, and how refugees “enrich our countries”. Usborne teaching resources paired with the book outline lesson objectives, including “to know that positive action is possible”, with one activity stating: “People in power can do a lot to help – but they don’t always choose to. “Governments want to be popular with their own people, so one way to encourage them to support refugees is by showing them how important refugees’ safety is to you.” It adds: “You could also write a letter to your local MP or councillor. Try to include some facts about why refugees need our help and how they can enrich our countries.” Usborne has also created “notes for grown-ups to help explain why it’s important to talk to children about refugees”. These notes urge parents to drill home to their children the point that “without migration we would not have access to the vast array of multicultural foods that we are lucky to enjoy”. Parents are assured that there are “so many” positives to the arrival of refugees, who “fill gaps in the labour market”. The material claims it is cheaper to recruit foreign doctors than train British medical staff. Low-skilled arrivals additionally “do dirty, difficult, dangerous or dull jobs that locals do not wish to do”, adding that “ageing societies with a shrinking native working-age population benefit from the arrival of younger refugees” who “support population numbers, and thus investment and growth”. Around via small boats in 2024, most of whom claim asylum. The total cost for maintaining the system of migrant hotels is now estimated at £5.4 billion a year. The notes further claim that “people who have been uprooted from one culture and exposed to another tend to be more creative” and they can “help spark new ideas and technologies”. The Arts Council-backed Books Trust has since supported a promotion which promised to distribute 500 copies to UK schools to mark an occasion called “Empathy Day”. The children’s book and the accompanying material has been criticised by Rupert Lowe, the Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, who has pushed for transparency on the costs of migration. He said: “This is disgraceful indoctrination, which is sadly widespread in schools across the country. “Parents need to be incredibly cautious about what is being shown to their children in schools - I would advise parents to take a far more proactive role in monitoring their school’s curriculum where possible. “We need to remove activist teachers, remove activist material and remove all political activism from British schools. Teach children how to think, not what to think.” Usborne has been contacted for comment.In this article, DANIEL ADAJI explores the integration of smart technologies in odour management, focusing on their features, benefits, and best practices for effective implementation in modern poultry farms Odour management remains a significant challenge in poultry farming. The unpleasant smells emanating from manure, feed, and ammonia not only affect the health of workers and nearby residents but also influence the productivity and well-being of the birds. Modern poultry operations require innovative solutions to maintain a healthy and sustainable environment. Smart gadgets are emerging as advanced tools for monitoring, mitigating, and eliminating odours, offering a transformative approach to odour control in poultry farming. By leveraging technology, poultry farmers can effectively address this age-old challenge, improving air quality and productivity while ensuring compliance with environmental standards. Challenges of odour control in poultry farms Odours in poultry farms are caused by a combination of biological, chemical, and environmental factors. Understanding these challenges is essential to implementing effective solutions. Common sources of odours Manure serves as a primary contributor to odours. It contains high levels of ammonia and other volatile compounds that emit strong smells if improperly managed. The decomposition of organic matter in manure releases gases such as methane and hydrogen sulphide, further exacerbating the problem. Feed storage and spillage cause additional odour problems. Spoilt or spilt feed ferments, creating unpleasant smells and attracting pests. Poor feed management can lead to significant losses and increased environmental pollution. Ventilation issues also contribute to odour accumulation. Inadequate airflow causes odour buildup, adversely affecting the air quality in poultry houses. Poor ventilation can also lead to respiratory problems for birds and workers. Wastewater management is another critical issue. Inefficient disposal of water used in cleaning facilities results in stagnant water and associated odours. Wastewater often contains high levels of organic matter, which decomposes to produce unpleasant smells. Traditional odour control methods, such as manual cleaning and basic ventilation systems, often fall short of addressing these challenges effectively. The introduction of smart gadgets provides a paradigm shift, enabling poultry farms to tackle odour issues more efficiently. Smart gadgets for odour management in poultry farms Several smart gadgets are now available to help poultry farmers control odours effectively. These devices leverage advanced technology, including sensors, automation, and data analytics, to optimise odour management processes. Smart ammonia detectors are essential for monitoring harmful gases. Ammonia, one of the most common and harmful gases found in poultry farms, can negatively impact bird health, reduce productivity, and contribute to odour issues. Devices like the Aeroqual Series or EcoSensors provide real-time monitoring of ammonia levels, offering instant alerts when thresholds are exceeded. They continuously monitor ammonia and other harmful gases, integrate with mobile apps for remote alerts, and track historical data for trend analysis. Smart ventilation systems play a crucial role in maintaining air quality and controlling odours. Advanced systems, such as those from Munters or SKOV, automatically optimise airflow based on odour levels and other environmental parameters. These systems adjust airflow automatically, integrate with temperature and humidity controls, and allow remote monitoring and control via dedicated apps. Smart odour neutralisers deploy air-purifying agents like enzymes, biofilters, or activated carbon to mitigate odours effectively. Devices like the PureAiro Smart Ozone Generator are programmable and adjustable to suit specific farm needs. They come with programmable release schedules, adjustable intensity based on farm size and odour concentration, and low energy consumption for cost-effectiveness. IoT-enabled waste management systems enhance efficiency by automating manure and wastewater disposal processes. These systems include smart scrapers, separators, and composters, ensuring timely removal and treatment of waste. They feature automated manure removal systems, IoT sensors for monitoring waste levels, and integration with composting or biogas production units. Smart air quality monitors, such as the Awair Omni or uHoo, provide comprehensive assessments of air quality. These gadgets measure ammonia, methane, temperature, and humidity, helping to identify odour sources and monitor the overall environment. They offer real-time analysis of multiple parameters, integrate with ventilation and neutralisation systems, and use predictive analytics for proactive odour management. Smart feeding systems ensure precise feed distribution, minimising waste and associated smells. Systems like those by Big Dutchman deliver accurate feed tailored to bird size and growth stage, offer remote monitoring and adjustments, and reduce spoiled feed and resultant odours. Integrating smart gadgets for effective odour control Implementing smart gadgets in poultry farms requires a strategic and integrated approach to maximise their effectiveness. Data-driven decision-making is critical. Data collected by smart gadgets enables farm managers to identify trends and problem areas. For instance, consistent high ammonia readings may indicate inadequate ventilation or suboptimal manure management. Automation and synchronisation ensure seamless operations. Ammonia detectors can activate ventilation systems to address high gas levels. Similarly, air quality monitors can trigger odour neutralisers when certain thresholds are reached. Remote monitoring and alerts provide real-time updates via mobile apps, allowing farm managers to respond promptly to any issues, even from remote locations. Best practices for using smart gadgets in poultry farms As the poultry farming industry continues to embrace technological advancements, smart gadgets are increasingly becoming indispensable tools for improving efficiency and environmental management. To achieve optimal results and ensure the sustainability of operations, poultry farmers should adopt the following best practices: Related News TECNO unveils AI-powered gadgets How to protect your gadgets from power surge Strix promotes access to gadgets Strategic placement of smart gadgets Proper placement of smart gadgets is crucial for their effectiveness. Devices should be installed in areas where odour generation is most prevalent, such as near manure storage, feeding areas, and water stations. For instance, smart odour sensors placed at manure storage points can monitor ammonia levels in real time, while those installed around feeding areas can detect spoilage or waste buildup that may contribute to unpleasant smells. By placing these gadgets strategically, farmers can ensure timely detection and mitigation of potential hazards, improving the overall farm environment. Regular maintenance Maintenance is a non-negotiable aspect of ensuring that smart gadgets function optimally. Poultry farms are environments with high levels of dust, moisture, and organic materials, which can affect the accuracy and efficiency of devices. Farmers should establish a regular schedule for cleaning, inspecting, and calibrating these gadgets. For example, ammonia sensors should be cleaned and recalibrated periodically to maintain their accuracy. Similarly, smart feeders and water dispensers require regular checks to ensure they deliver the correct amounts without clogging or malfunctions. Proper maintenance extends the lifespan of gadgets and reduces the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns. Training farm workers Technology is only as effective as the people using it. Training farm workers on how to operate smart gadgets and interpret the data they generate is vital. Employees should understand how to respond to alerts, troubleshoot minor issues, and implement the recommended actions. For example, if a smart sensor detects high ammonia levels, trained staff should know how to adjust ventilation or remove manure promptly. Training fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration among workers, ensuring that technology integration becomes a seamless part of daily operations. Adopting a hybrid approach While smart technologies are revolutionary, they work best when combined with traditional farming methods. A hybrid approach that integrates technology with proven techniques like deep litter systems, composting, and natural ventilation creates a comprehensive strategy for odour control and farm management. For instance, using smart ventilation systems alongside natural airflow strategies can significantly enhance air quality in poultry houses. This approach not only optimises the benefits of technology but also ensures that traditional methods remain relevant and effective. Data utilisation for continuous improvement Smart gadgets generate valuable data that can guide decision-making. Farmers should analyse trends and patterns from collected data to identify areas for improvement. For example, data from temperature and humidity sensors can help fine-tune environmental conditions, ensuring better bird health and productivity. By adopting these best practices, poultry farmers can maximise the benefits of smart gadgets while promoting sustainability, productivity, and environmental stewardship on their farms. As technology continues to evolve, integrating these innovations with traditional practices will be key to the future of poultry farming. Benefits of smart gadgets for odour control The adoption of smart gadgets offers numerous benefits. Improved air quality ensures a healthier environment for workers and birds, reducing respiratory issues and stress. Enhanced productivity results from better air quality, translating to healthier birds, improved growth rates, and higher egg production. Environmental compliance helps farms meet regulatory standards, avoiding fines and enhancing sustainability. Cost efficiency arises from automation, which reduces labour costs and optimises resource usage, contributing to better profitability. Challenges and solutions While smart gadgets offer significant advantages, some challenges must be addressed. High initial investment can be mitigated by beginning with essential gadgets like ammonia detectors and expanding gradually as resources allow. Technical complexity requires investing in user-friendly devices and providing thorough training for farm staff. Connectivity issues can be resolved by using gadgets with offline functionality or investing in reliable internet coverage across the farm. Future trends in smart odour control As technology evolves, new trends are shaping the future of odour control in poultry farming. AI-driven odour management will optimise gadget performance by predicting odour patterns based on historical data and environmental conditions. Renewable energy integration, such as solar-powered odour control systems, will enhance sustainability while reducing energy costs. Regulatory compliance automation will simplify audits and documentation processes through real-time compliance reports generated by future gadgets. Smart gadgets represent a game-changing approach to odour control in poultry farms. By leveraging real-time monitoring, automation, and advanced mitigation technologies, poultry farmers can create healthier environments for their birds and workers while ensuring regulatory compliance and sustainability. As technology continues to evolve, integrating these innovations will become an essential aspect of modern poultry farming, addressing the challenges of odour control and setting new standards for efficiency and environmental stewardship.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Ryan Strome scored with 2:36 remaining as the Anaheim Ducks rallied from a two-goal deficit in the second period to defeat the Edmonton Oilers 5-3 on Sunday. Strome's goal, his sixth of the season, originally wasn't called, but it was reversed after a review. Strome's shot was entirely over the goal line before Edmonton goalie Calvin Pickard could stop it with his skate. Mason McTavish added an empty-net goal. It is the first time since March 30, 2019, the Ducks have defeated the Oilers by more than one goal. Cutter Gauthier, McTavish and Robby Fabbri each had a goal and an assist. Drew Helleson also scored for Anaheim, which snapped a seven-game losing streak to Edmonton. Lukas Dostal made 20 saves. Leon Draisaitl had two goals and Connor McDavid two assists for the Oilers, who were 3-0-1 in their past four. Evan Bouchard also tallied a goal and Pickard stopped 27 shots. Takeaways Oilers: Draisaitl became the fourth player with at least 120 regular-season points in the calendar year. The forward has 50 goals and 71 assists in 2024. The last calendar year to feature as many NHL skaters with 120-plus points was 1993. Ducks: Anaheim had a 32-23 advantage in shots on goal and has won four of its last seven. Key moment Fabbri tied it at 3-all with 2:27 remaining on a snap shot from the right faceoff circle after getting the pass from McTavish. Fabbri has seven points (three goals, four assists) in eight games since returning from a knee injury. Key stat McDavid has a 14-game point streak against the Ducks (11 goals, 23 assists). The only teams he has a longer active point streak against are Nashville and New Jersey at 15 games. Up Next Both teams have home games on Tuesday. The Oilers face Utah while the Ducks take on New Jersey. ___ AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl The Associated Press

ALTOONA, Pa. — After UnitedHealthcare’s CEO was gunned down on a New York sidewalk, police searched for the masked gunman with dogs, drones and scuba divers. Officers used the city's muscular surveillance system. Investigators analyzed DNA samples, fingerprints and internet addresses. Police went door-to-door looking for witnesses. When an arrest came five days later, those sprawling investigative efforts shared credit with an alert civilian's instincts. A Pennsylvania McDonald's customer noticed another patron who resembled the man in the oblique security-camera photos that New York police had publicized. Luigi Nicholas Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family, was arrested Monday in the killing of Brian Thompson, who headed one of the United States’ largest medical insurance companies. He remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. By late evening, prosecutors in Manhattan had added a charge of murder, according to an online court docket. He's expected to be extradited to New York eventually. It’s unclear whether Mangione has an attorney who can comment on the allegations. Asked at Monday's arraignment whether he needed a public defender, Mangione asked whether he could “answer that at a future date.” Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after the McDonald's customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said. Police in Altoona, about 233 miles (375 kilometers) west of New York City, were soon summoned. They arrived to find Mangione sitting at a table in the back of the restaurant, wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop, according to a Pennsylvania police criminal complaint. He initially gave them a fake ID, but when an officer asked Mangione whether he’d been to New York recently, he “became quiet and started to shake,” the complaint says. When he pulled his mask down at officers' request, “we knew that was our guy,” rookie Officer Tyler Frye said at a news conference in Hollidaysburg. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a Manhattan news conference that Mangione was carrying a gun like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the shooter had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione also had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America." A law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the document included a line in which Mangione claimed to have acted alone. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone,” the document said, according to the official. It also had a line that said, “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.” Pennsylvania prosecutor Peter Weeks said in court that Mangione was found with a passport and $10,000 in cash — $2,000 of it in foreign currency. Mangione disputed the amount. Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a midtown Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. Police quickly came to see the shooting as a targeted attack by a gunman who appeared to wait for Thompson, came up behind him and fired a 9 mm pistol. Investigators have said “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on ammunition found near Thompson’s body. The words mimic a phrase used to criticize the insurance industry. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts From surveillance video, New York investigators gathered that the shooter fled by bike into Central Park, emerged, then took a taxi to a northern Manhattan bus terminal. Once in Pennsylvania, he went from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, “trying to stay low-profile” by avoiding cameras, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said. A grandson of a wealthy, self-made real estate developer and philanthropist, Mangione is a cousin of a current Maryland state legislator. Mangione was valedictorian at his elite Baltimore prep school, where his 2016 graduation speech lauded his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things.” He went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” Luigi Nicholas Mangione worked for a time for the car-buying website TrueCar and left in 2023, CEO Jantoon Reigersman said by email. From January to June 2022, Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of Honolulu tourist mecca Waikiki. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. "There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said. “He went surfing with R.J. once but it didn’t work out because of his back," Ryan said, but noted that Mangione and Martin often went together to a rock-climbing gym. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago. Although the gunman obscured his face during the shooting, he left a trail of evidence in New York, including a backpack he ditched in Central Park, a cellphone found in a pedestrian plaza, a water bottle and a protein bar wrapper. In the days after the shooting, the NYPD collected hundreds of hours of surveillance video and released multiple clips and still images in hopes of enlisting the public’s eyes to help find a suspect. “This combination of old-school detective work and new-age technology is what led to this result today,” Tisch said at the New York news conference. ___

Renuka Rayasam | (TNS) KFF Health News In April, just 12 weeks into her pregnancy, Kathleen Clark was standing at the receptionist window of her OB-GYN’s office when she was asked to pay $960, the total the office estimated she would owe after she delivered. Clark, 39, was shocked that she was asked to pay that amount during this second prenatal visit. Normally, patients receive the bill after insurance has paid its part, and for pregnant women that’s usually only when the pregnancy ends. It would be months before the office filed the claim with her health insurer. Clark said she felt stuck. The Cleveland, Tennessee, obstetrics practice was affiliated with a birthing center where she wanted to deliver. Plus, she and her husband had been wanting to have a baby for a long time. And Clark was emotional, because just weeks earlier her mother had died. “You’re standing there at the window, and there’s people all around, and you’re trying to be really nice,” recalled Clark, through tears. “So, I paid it.” On online baby message boards and other social media forums , pregnant women say they are being asked by their providers to pay out-of-pocket fees earlier than expected. The practice is legal, but patient advocacy groups call it unethical. Medical providers argue that asking for payment up front ensures they get compensated for their services. How frequently this happens is hard to track because it is considered a private transaction between the provider and the patient. Therefore, the payments are not recorded in insurance claims data and are not studied by researchers. Patients, medical billing experts, and patient advocates say the billing practice causes unexpected anxiety at a time of already heightened stress and financial pressure. Estimates can sometimes be higher than what a patient might ultimately owe and force people to fight for refunds if they miscarry or the amount paid was higher than the final bill. Up-front payments also create hurdles for women who may want to switch providers if they are unhappy with their care. In some cases, they may cause women to forgo prenatal care altogether, especially in places where few other maternity care options exist. It’s “holding their treatment hostage,” said Caitlin Donovan, a senior director at the Patient Advocate Foundation . Medical billing and women’s health experts believe OB-GYN offices adopted the practice to manage the high cost of maternity care and the way it is billed for in the U.S. When a pregnancy ends, OB-GYNs typically file a single insurance claim for routine prenatal care, labor, delivery, and, often, postpartum care. That practice of bundling all maternity care into one billing code began three decades ago, said Lisa Satterfield, senior director of health and payment policy at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . But such bundled billing has become outdated, she said. Previously, pregnant patients had been subject to copayments for each prenatal visit, which might lead them to skip crucial appointments to save money. But the Affordable Care Act now requires all commercial insurers to fully cover certain prenatal services. Plus, it’s become more common for pregnant women to switch providers, or have different providers handle prenatal care, labor, and delivery — especially in rural areas where patient transfers are common. Some providers say prepayments allow them to spread out one-time payments over the course of the pregnancy to ensure that they are compensated for the care they do provide, even if they don’t ultimately deliver the baby. “You have people who, unfortunately, are not getting paid for the work that they do,” said Pamela Boatner, who works as a midwife in a Georgia hospital. While she believes women should receive pregnancy care regardless of their ability to pay, she also understands that some providers want to make sure their bill isn’t ignored after the baby is delivered. New parents might be overloaded with hospital bills and the costs of caring for a new child, and they may lack income if a parent isn’t working, Boatner said. In the U.S., having a baby can be expensive. People who obtain health insurance through large employers pay an average of nearly $3,000 out-of-pocket for pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker . In addition, many people are opting for high-deductible health insurance plans, leaving them to shoulder a larger share of the costs. Of the 100 million U.S. people with health care debt, 12% attribute at least some of it to maternity care, according to a 2022 KFF poll . Families need time to save money for the high costs of pregnancy, childbirth, and child care, especially if they lack paid maternity leave, said Joy Burkhard , CEO of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, a Los Angeles-based policy think tank. Asking them to prepay “is another gut punch,” she said. “What if you don’t have the money? Do you put it on credit cards and hope your credit card goes through?” Calculating the final costs of childbirth depends on multiple factors, such as the timing of the pregnancy , plan benefits, and health complications, said Erin Duffy , a health policy researcher at the University of Southern California’s Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. The final bill for the patient is unclear until a health plan decides how much of the claim it will cover, she said. But sometimes the option to wait for the insurer is taken away. During Jamie Daw’s first pregnancy in 2020, her OB-GYN accepted her refusal to pay in advance because Daw wanted to see the final bill. But in 2023, during her second pregnancy, a private midwifery practice in New York told her that since she had a high-deductible plan, it was mandatory to pay $2,000 spread out with monthly payments. Daw, a health policy researcher at Columbia University, delivered in September 2023 and got a refund check that November for $640 to cover the difference between the estimate and the final bill. “I study health insurance,” she said. “But, as most of us know, it’s so complicated when you’re really living it.” While the Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover some prenatal services, it doesn’t prohibit providers from sending their final bill to patients early. It would be a challenge politically and practically for state and federal governments to attempt to regulate the timing of the payment request, said Sabrina Corlette , a co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University. Medical lobbying groups are powerful and contracts between insurers and medical providers are proprietary. Because of the legal gray area, Lacy Marshall , an insurance broker at Rapha Health and Life in Texas, advises clients to ask their insurer if they can refuse to prepay their deductible. Some insurance plans prohibit providers in their network from requiring payment up front. If the insurer says they can refuse to pay up front, Marshall said, she tells clients to get established with a practice before declining to pay, so that the provider can’t refuse treatment. Related Articles Health | Which health insurance plan may be right for you? Health | California case is the first confirmed bird flu infection in a US child Health | Your cool black kitchenware could be slowly poisoning you, study says. Here’s what to do Health | Does fluoride cause cancer, IQ loss, and more? Fact-checking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claims Health | U.S. towns plunge into debates about fluoride in water Clark said she met her insurance deductible after paying for genetic testing, extra ultrasounds, and other services out of her health care flexible spending account. Then she called her OB-GYN’s office and asked for a refund. “I got my spine back,” said Clark, who had previously worked at a health insurer and a medical office. She got an initial check for about half the $960 she originally paid. In August, Clark was sent to the hospital after her blood pressure spiked. A high-risk pregnancy specialist — not her original OB-GYN practice — delivered her son, Peter, prematurely via emergency cesarean section at 30 weeks. It was only after she resolved most of the bills from the delivery that she received the rest of her refund from the other OB-GYN practice. This final check came in October, just days after Clark brought Peter home from the hospital, and after multiple calls to the office. She said it all added stress to an already stressful period. “Why am I having to pay the price as a patient?” she said. “I’m just trying to have a baby.” ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.