On May 10, 1996, I introduced H.R. 3436, the MOMS Act, the "Minimum Obstetrical Medical Security Act of 1996."

The legislation would guarantee that insurers provide coverage for new mothers and their newborn children to remain in the hospital for a minimum of 48 hours after a normal delivery and 96 hours after a Caesarean section, unless the attending provider and the mother together decide that this is not the best course of action.

This bill responds to the concerns of pregnant women and their physicians in my district who have become increasingly concerned about the risks involved for mothers and their children when they are sent home from the hospital too soon. This is happening more and more frequently because insurance companies are deciding that an early hospital discharge is in their best interest - even if both the doctor and the new mother believe that the longer stay is medically appropriate. Length of stay for new mothers and their babies ought not to be based on the financial concerns of an insurer, but on the health and welfare of the new mother and her new baby and in accordance with current medical society guidelines. Studies have shown that early release of infants can result in feeding problems, respiratory difficulties, mental retardation, brain damage, and infections of the ears, eyes, and navel cords. Premature hospital discharge also puts mothers at risk for hemorrhaging, infected episiotomies, urinary tract infections, and exhaustion.

The American Medical Association has urged hospitals and insurance companies to allow the discharge of mothers and infants to be determined by the clinical judgment of attending physicians, not by economic considerations. Over 80,000 physicians in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Pediatricians, the American Nurses Association, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses and the March of Dimes have endorsed legislative measures addressing these same concerns. .

The bill does not preempt responsible state legislation that either meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of this bill or guidelines established by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Pediatrics, or other medical professional associations.

If you are interested being a co-sponsor of this important legislation please contact Elaine Sheets at 202-226-3400.

Sincerely,

John D. Dingell

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