The time period can be shortened by the attending physician after consulting with the mother. If the period is shortened, the insurer is required to cover home visits by a registered professional nurse who is experienced in maternal and child health nursing. Insurers are prohibited from encouraging the mother or her attending physician to shorten the minimum time period. Insurers are required to notify insureds of the coverage required by the bill. The bill applies to policies that are delivered or renewed after January 1, 1997.
Supporters say that early discharge is harmful to the health and safety of women and children.
Early discharge makes it less likely that certain health screens will be done and increases the likelihood that newborn jaundice will be missed. Physicians and not insurance companies should decide when a woman is discharged from the hospital. Those who oppose the bill say that there is little evidence that early discharge is harmful to women or their children. The bill is costly to the state and raises insurance premiums. The result will be that other more necessary benefits will be reduced.