Senate Oks 48-Hour Hospital Stay For Moms

Health insurers would be required to pay for at least a 48-hour hospital stay for women after they give birth under legislation approved by the Senate Thursday. The guaranteed length of stay would be 96 hours for women who have Caesarean section deliveries.

The measure, passed by voice, was aimed at countering the current trend of insurance companies to compel new mothers to leave the hospital within 24 hours of delivery.

Several similar bills have been introduced in the House.