British Couple Relieved of $200K Debt in Medical Bills After Giving Birth in U.S.

An insurance company is expected to cover the medical bills for a British couple whose baby was born prematurely during their New York City vacation, according to a Facebook page created to support the family.

The Guardian and CBS News report Lee Johnston and Katie Amos feared they would be faced with up to $200,000 in medical bills after their baby arrived early last week, weighing three pounds, at Lenox Hill Hospital.

The hospital released a statement to news outlets saying it “continues to work with the insurance carrier regarding payment approvals for all services rendered by the hospital” and “will ensure that there will be no financial impact to the family.”

A friend of the couple, Richard Crow, set up the Facebook page “Dax’s Tale of New York” and a fundraising campaign to raise money for the family as they tried to figure out whether insurance would help cover their hospital bills even though they don’t live in the U.S.—and until the baby is well enough to fly out of the country. Any remaining funds will reportedly be donated to the Ronald McDonald foundation for helping the couple find temporary housing.