Their first baby came with medical debt. These Illinois parents won't have another.
![Medical debt is as much a hallmark of having children as long nights and dirty diapers. The Crivilare family, Andrew, Heather and Rita, 2, are pictured at their kitchen table in Jacksonville, Ill.](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/09/medicaldebt_04-d6a6e8bf4e6d0fc132cd4faffb3cd7fcacf60753.jpg)
Millions of new parents in the U.S. are swamped by medical debt during and after pregnancy, forcing many to cut back on food, clothing, and other essentials.
![](https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1250233411)
Millions of new parents in the U.S. are swamped by medical debt during and after pregnancy, forcing many to cut back on food, clothing, and other essentials.