Early postpartum discharge: a public policy issue?

A ithough Congress and other public policymakers have debated endlessly on the financing and restructuring of America's healthcare system, most arc loath to micromanage medical practice decisions— especially in this current era of Republican leadership. Yet this summer a number of state and congressional leaders have begun to propose and pass legislation that would dictate the length of a hospital stay for childbirth. This is in response to a perception that insurers arc mandating very early hospital discharge after childbirth for economic reasons at the risk of potential adverse medical outcomes to infants and mothers.