Kifah in Chicago Ridge, IL had insurance for the delivery of her first son, a high risk pregnancy, who was born via C-section. Even with insurance though, she had thousands of dollars in out of pocket costs and knew that the total bill approached $20,000.

Years later, pregnant with her second son and uninsured, Kifah feared the worst. She didn’t want to rely on any public assistance to pay for the birth, but knew the bills would wipe out their savings and suck their bank account dry.

In the meantime, she’d planned a one month trip early in the pregnancy to visit family in Palestine. Once there, however, she realized she could have the C-section for $800 – a true bargain compared to what she and her husband anticipated paying in the US. They stayed.

That one month trip turned into a nine month stay and they returned home from Palestine with their second baby boy, whose entire birth – including plane tickets – cost less than the birth of their first son did, even with the insurance.

Kifah knows the United States can do better by its citizens.

Even now, as she, her husband and youngest son live without insurance she remains optimistic, dedicating herself to helping others in need in her community. She’s deeply committed to her faith, which she says helps her overcome the fear of living uninsured. Everything happens for a reason, she says.

As we interviewed Kifah she insisted we stay for dinner – after warming us up with coffee and sage tea. We couldn’t say no, particularly when we smelled the delicious aromas wafting from a pot on the stove through the entire interview.

Kifah treated us to a traditional meal called mansef: tender lamb over rice and pita in a yogurt sauce. It was an unexpected treat and certainly unlike any on-the-road fare we’ve experienced (and sometimes, endured) this summer.

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