    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [May 11, 1996]
    [Pages 733-734]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    May 11, 1996

        Good morning. Tomorrow millions of Americans will honor our mothers
    with hugs and bouquets and visits for dinner. Others of us will simply
    offer up a silent prayer for the mother who still lives in our heart but
    who has left this Earth. I miss my own mother very much, especially on
    Mother's Day. I can't give her roses tomorrow, but with your help we can
    honor all mothers by giving mothers-to-be something far more important,
    the assurance that when they bring a baby into this world, they will not
    be rushed out of the hospital until they and their health care provider
    decide it is medically safe for both mother and child. Today I want to
    discuss legislation that will guarantee mothers the quality care they
    need when they've had a baby.
        In 1970, the average length of stay for an uncomplicated hospital
    delivery was 4 days. By 1992, the average had declined to 2 days. Now a
    large and growing number of insurance companies are refusing to pay for
    anything more than a 24-hour stay, except in the most extreme
    circumstances, and some have recommended releasing women as early as 8
    hours after delivery.

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        This has gone from being an economical trend to a dangerous one, one
    that carries with it the potential for serious health consequences.
    Early release of infants can result in numerous problems, including
    feeding problems, severe dehydration, brain damage, and stroke. In
    addition, many mothers are not physically capable of providing for a
    newborn's needs 24 hours after giving birth. Often they're exhausted, in
    pain, and faced with an overwhelming set of new responsibilities. Many
    first-time mothers also need more than 24 hours in the hospital to
    receive instruction in basic infant care and breast feeding. And
    sometimes an early discharge can be fatal.
        Michelle Bauman testified before a Senate committee that she was
    told to go home 28 hours after her daughter was born. Her baby died
    within one day of going home. If she had been allowed a 48-hour stay,
    she would have been in the hospital when her daughter's symptoms
    appeared. As she so tragically put it, another 24 hours, and her baby's
    symptoms would have surfaced ``so that we could have planned a
    christening, not a funeral.''
        Susan Jones and her baby son were discharged after about 24 hours.
    It turns out he had a heart defect which was not noticed by the hospital
    or the home health nurse who came to visit on the third day. The baby
    died. Susan and an independent group of pediatric cardiologists believe
    the problem would have been noticed in the hospital by the second or
    third day.
        As a nation that values the health of women and children, we must
    not turn our backs on this problem. There is an emerging national
    consensus that we must put a stop to these so-called drive-through
    deliveries. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and
    the American Academy of Pediatrics have issued guidelines recommending a
    minimum stay of 48 hours following most normal deliveries, and 96 hours
    following most cesarean sections. Sixteen States have enacted laws to
    guarantee that level of coverage and 25 more are considering such a
    move.
        A growing number of hospitals have taken it upon themselves to
    provide the second day of coverage free. And one group of insurers, Blue
    Cross and Blue Shield Plans of Pennsylvania, has responded to public
    concerns by voluntarily offering 48-hour minimum coverage. I believe
    every insurance company should step up to this problem and do what these
    insurers in Pennsylvania have done.
        But in the absence of coverage for all women in all States, we have
    a responsibility to take action in Washington. Already, a Senate bill
    and separate House bills have been introduced, most with bipartisan
    support, to guarantee 48-hour post partum hospital stays for mothers and
    their children.
        I urge Members of Congress to move legislation forward as soon as
    possible that makes this protection for mothers and their children the
    law of the land. No insurance company should be free to make the final
    judgment about what is medically best for newborns and their mothers.
    That decision should be left up to doctors, nurses, and mothers
    themselves. Saving the life and health of mothers and newborns is more
    important than saving a few dollars.
        America's mothers hold a special place in our hearts. They provide
    the lessons and care that enable all of our children to embrace the
    opportunities of this great land. They deliver the precious gift of
    life. Let's give them a Mother's Day gift they richly deserve. Let's
    guarantee them 48-hour hospital stays to protect their health and the
    health of their newborn babies. Mothers sacrifice so much for us. It's
    the least we can do for them.
        Happy Mother's Day, and thanks for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 5 p.m. on May 10 at Pennsylvania State
    University in State College for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on May 11. A
    portion of this address could not be verified because the tape was
    incomplete.