Bill > S04795

This bill requires all insurance policies and health maintenance organization contracts to provide coverage for maternity patients and their newborns for hospital stays of at least 48 hours following childbirth by natural delivery and 96 hours following childbirth by cesarean section. It also provides similar coverage for patients who are recipients of Medicaid. The bill includes provisions that allow the mother to be discharged earlier if she exercises that option and the treating physician determines that the mother and newborn are ready for discharge, and it requires at least one home visit within 24 hours of discharge by a licensed healthcare provider to provide postpartum care.