According to a FairHealth state tracker map, it costs more to give birth, both in hospital network and out–of-network, in Vermont and New York compared to New Hampshire. The tracker shows median costs for vaginal and c-section births. 

VT vaginal births: $20,466 in network, $26,824 out. C-sections: in network $29,834, out $38,295. 

New York vaginal births: in network $22,894, out $36,892. C-sections: $26,890 in network, out $49,261 .

New Hampshire vaginal births: $17,204 in network, $27,681 out. C-sections: $22,012 in, $34,868 out.

The most expensive state for an out-of-network C-section is Nevada, at $78,893. The cheapest in-state vaginal birth is Alabama with $10,275.

Post office delays cash crisis by borrowing from retirement fund

During Congressional testimony last week, Postmaster General David Steiner told lawmakers that the U.S. Postal Service is no longer on track to run out of money in 2027, according to the Journal-Opinion.

“USPS’ projections, included in congressional testimony Wednesday, show the agency will now face a cash crisis some time between fiscal 2031 and 2035,” reported Federal News Network via the JO.

The delay comes as the USPS has suspended payments into the employee retirement system to conserve money. 

“What we are doing right now is we’re basically borrowing money from our retirement plans to fund current operations,” Steiner told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “I’m not particularly comfortable with that. I promise you, our employees are not particularly comfortable with that. You all shouldn’t be comfortable with that. None of us should be comfortable with that.”

Vermont film grants available 

Film in Vermont and the Vermont Production Collective have officially opened submissions for the Vermont Film Production Economic Impact Pilot Program. This targeted grant program is designed with a dual purpose: to bring compelling, local stories to life and to directly stimulate and measure the economic impact of film production within the state.

“As our visions and mission to support the filmmaking community in the state are so directly aligned, VPC is the perfect partner for this program,” says Corinth resident Brian Carroll, founder of Film in Vermont. “The program will allow us to get more Vermont films made while gathering the concrete data needed to prove that filmmaking is a viable, powerful economic driver for our towns and small businesses in Vermont.”

In April, the Journal Opinion profiled Carroll and his efforts to boost the Vermont film industry.

The pilot program will award grants of up to $10,000 each to a select number of Vermont based film projects. To ensure the funding directly benefits the community, priority will be given to projects that utilize funds exclusively for production expenses incurred within the State of Vermont.

To be considered for the pilot, projects must meet baseline requirements, including primary filming within Vermont, employing state residents, utilizing local vendors, and demonstrating a clear, actionable production timeline.

Submissions are accepted until July 21.