The cost for Gary to stay in the nursery was $ 2 per day . Grant friend found the hospital bill from his birth in 1947 . It was $ 726 , $ 11,000 in 2012 dollars . He says the price of a hospital birth in 1947 was $ 726 . Why is it so expensive now ? He says huge pricetag is partly due to advanced technology that has greatly cut infant mortality . Greene : Some say not all costly procedures necessary , but outcomes are better now .
Grant friend found the hospital bill from his birth in 1947 . It was $ 726 , $ 11,000 in 2012 dollars . He says the price of a hospital birth in 1947 was $ 726 . Why is it so expensive now ? He says huge pricetag is partly due to advanced technology that has greatly cut infant mortality . Greene : Some say not all costly procedures necessary , but outcomes are better now .