[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3248-S3249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ORDER FOR STAR PRINT--S. 969

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that S. 969, the 
Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act, be star printed to 
reflect the changes I now send to the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, today I am pleased to join my colleagues, 
Senator Nancy Kassebaum and Senator Bill Frist, in announcing a revised 
and improved version of S. 969, the Newborns' and Mothers' Health 
Protection Act of 1996.
  This bill requires insurers to allow mothers and their newborns to 
remain in the hospital for a minimum of 48 hours after a normal vaginal 
delivery and 96 hours after a caesarean section. Shorter hospital stays 
are permitted, provided that the attending health care provider, in 
consultation with the mother, determines that is the best course of 
action.
  S. 969 has garnered wide support and endorsements. Currently, 34 of 
our Senate colleagues, 21 Democrats and 13 Republicans are cosponsors. 
Major medical organizations such as the American Medical Association, 
the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the 
American Academy

[[Page S3249]]

of Pediatrics have endorsed this legislation.
  More than 83,000 Americans from every State in this Nation have 
communicated their support to my office.
  Today, I ask unanimous consent that a summary of the clarifications 
and changes to S. 969 be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

          Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996

       The following comments detail the clarifications and 
     technical changes made to S. 969.:
       1. The original bill did not comment on whether or not an 
     attending health care provider would need to obtain 
     authorization in order to keep a mother and newborn in the 
     hospital for the 48/96 hours that are guaranteed for 
     insurance coverage.
       The re-introduced bill states that attending health care 
     providers do not need to obtain authorization in order to 
     keep mothers and newborns in the hospital for this period of 
     time.
       2. The original bill stated that a decision for early 
     discharge (eg prior to the 48/96 hours) could be made by 
     either the attending health care provider OR mother.
       The re-introduced bill states that a decision for early 
     discharge can be made by the attending health care provider 
     in consultation with the mother.
       3. The original bill did not address time parameters with 
     regard to follow-up care.
       The re-introduced bill states that follow-up care must be 
     timely and must be provided within 24-27 hours following 
     discharge.
       4. The original bill did not specify a full range of health 
     care providers.
       The re-introduced bill specifies: physicians 
     (obstetricians-gynecologists, pediatricians, family 
     physicians, other physicians), nurse practitioners, nurses, 
     nurse midwives, and physician assistants (where appropriate).
       5. The original bill was ambiguous regarding preemption.
       The re-introduced bill states that state laws that provide 
     for a guarantee of insurance coverage for 48/96 hours OR have 
     laws that guarantee care based on guidelines from the 
     American College of Obstetricians--Gynecologist and the 
     American Academy of Pediatrics AND have followed-up care 
     consistent with federal law.

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