{"id":355831,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/overview-of-the-newborns-and-mothers-health-protection-act.html"},"modified":"2023-07-22T11:56:24","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T16:56:24","slug":"overview-of-the-newborns-and-mothers-health-protection-act","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/overview-of-the-newborns-and-mothers-health-protection-act.html","title":{"rendered":"What is the Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What is the Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act of 1996<\/a> (NMHPA) is a federal law that deals with how long a mother and newborn can stay in the hospital after birth. Under this public health law, some health insurance issuers must pay for hospital stays following delivery.<\/p>\r\n

The type of delivery determines the length of time you can stay in the hospital. For vaginal delivery, it is at least 48 hours. For cesarean sections, it is 96 hours. These periods begin at the time of delivery, not when the hospital admits the pregnant woman. Only the attending provider can discharge the mother and her newborn child before the time ends. The provider must consult the mother before discharge.<\/p>\r\n

This article explores the purpose of the NMHPA and examines a few of its regulations.<\/p>\r\n

Purpose of the Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act of 1996<\/h2>\r\n

New moms face many health conditions following labor requiring further medical care. Some of these conditions include the following:<\/p>\r\n