Maternal minimum-stay legislation: Cost and policy implications

K. Raube and K. Merrell

American Journal of Public Health, 1999, vol. 89, issue 6, 922-923

Abstract: Objectives. Recently, most state legislatures and Congress have passed laws mandating insurance coverage for a minimum period of inpatient care following delivery. This study analyzed the likely cost implications of one state's law. Methods. Hospital discharge records for Illinois women who gave birth (n = 167 769) and infants born (n = 164 905) during a 12-month period predating the law were analyzed. Results. As a percentage of total spending on birth-related admissions and readmissions, the net effect of the law ranges from a savings of 0.1% to a cost of 20.2%. Conclusions. There may be large cost implications to this legislation, even with savings from avoided readmissions.

Date: 1999
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1999:89:6:922-923_6

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