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5/11/96 Radio Address – Teen Pregnancy (48 hrs after birth)
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5/11/96 Radio Address – Teen Pregnancy (48 hrs after birth)
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FOIA Number: 2006-0462-F
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Clinton Presidential Records
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Speechwriting
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Terry Edmonds
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10985
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5/11/96 Radio Address - Teen Pregnancy (48 hours after birth)
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DRAFT
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS TO THE NATION
MAY 11, 1996
Good morning. Tomorrow, millions of Americans will honor our mothers with hugs
and bouquets and visits for dinner. Others of us will simply offer up a silent prayer for the
mother who still lives in our heart but who has left this earth. I miss my own mother very
much, but especially on Mother's Day. I can't give her roses tomorrow, but with your help
we can honor all mothers by giving them something far more important -- the assurance that
when they bring a baby into this world, they will not be rushed out of the hospital until they
and their health care provider, not their insurance company, decides it is medically safe for
both mother and child.
In 1970, the average length of stay for an uncomplicated hospital delivery was 4 days.
By 1992, that average had declined to 2 days. Now a large and growing number of
insurance companies are refusing to pay for anything more than a 24-hour stay, except in the
most extreme circumstances, and some have recommended releasing women as early as 8
hours after delivery. This is an appalling trend that carries with it the potential for serious
health problems. Early release of infants can result in numerous problems including feeding
problems, severe dehydration, brain damage and stroke. In addition, many mothers are not
physically capable of providing for a newborn's needs 24-hours after giving birth. They are
exhausted, in pain and faced with an overwhelming set of new responsibilities. Many first
time mothers also need more than 24 hours in the hospital to receive instruction in basic
infant care and breast feeding.
And sometimes an early discharge can be fatal. Michelle Bauman testified before a
Senate Committee that she was told to go home 28 hours after her daughter was born. Her
baby died within one day of her going home. If she had been allowed a 48-hour stay, she
would have been in the hospital when her daughter's symptoms appeared. As she so
tragically put it, "Another 24 hours and [her baby's] symptoms would have surfaced so that
we could have planned a christening, not a funeral."
Susan Jones and her baby son were discharged after about 24 hours. It turns out that
he had a heart defect which was not noticed by the hospital or the home health nurse who
came to visit on the third day. The baby died. Susan and an independent group of pediatric
cardiologists believe the problem would have been noticed in the hospital by the second or
third day.
As a nation that values the health of women and children, we must not turn our backs
on this problem. There is an emerging national consensus that we must put a stop to these
so-called "drive-through" deliveries. The American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics have issued guidelines recommending
a minimum stay of 48 hours following most normal deliveries and 96 hours following most
cesarean sections. Sixteen states have enacted laws to guarantee that level of coverage and
1
25 states are considering such a move.
A growing number of hospitals have taken it upon themselves to provide the second
day of coverage free. And one group of insurers, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans of
Pennsylvania have responded to public concerns by voluntarily offering 48 hour minimum
coverage. I believe every insurance company should step up to this problem and do what
these insurers in Pennsylvania have done.
But, in the absence of coverage for all women in all states, we have a responsibility
to take action. Already, a Senate bill and separate House bills have been introduced -- all
with bipartisan support -- to guarantee 48 hour post-partum hospital stays for mothers and
their children. I urge the members of Congress to resolve their differences and move
legislation forward as soon as possible that makes this protection for mothers and their
children the law of the land.
Mothers should be guaranteed this protection. No insurance company should be
free to make the final judgement about what is medically best for newborns and their
mothers. That decision should be left up to doctors, nurses, and mothers themselves.
Saving the life and health of mothers and newborns is more important than saving a few
dollars.
America's mothers hold a special place in our hearts. They provide the lessons and
care that enable all of our children to embrace the opportunities of this great land. They
deliver the precious gift of life. Let's give them a Mother's Day gift they so richly deserve.
Let's guarantee them 48 hour hospital stays to protect their health and the health of their new
born babies. They have sacrificed so much for us. It's the least we can do for them.
Happy Mother's Day and thanks for listening.
2
DRAFT
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS TO THE NATION
MAY 11, 1996
Good morning. Tomorrow, millions of Americans will honor our mothers with hugs
and bouquets and visits for dinner. Others of us will simply offer up a silent prayer for the
mother who still lives in our heart but who has left this earth. I miss my own mother very
much, but especially on Mother's Day. I can't give her roses tomorrow, but with your help
we can honor all mothers by giving them something far more important -- the assurance that
when they bring a baby into this world, they will not be rushed out of the hospital until they
and their health care provider, not their insurance company, decides it is medically safe for
both mother and child.
In 1970, the average length of stay for an uncomplicated hospital delivery was 4 days.
By 1992, that average had declined to 2 days. Now a large and growing number of
insurance companies are refusing to pay for anything more than a 24-hour stay, except in the
most extreme circumstances, and some have recommended releasing women as early as 8
hours after delivery. This is an appalling trend that carries with it the potential for serious
health problems. Early release of infants can result in numerous problems including feeding
problems, severe dehydration, brain damage and stroke. In addition, many mothers are not
physically capable of providing for a newborn's needs 24-hours after giving birth. They are
exhausted, in pain and faced with an overwhelming set of new responsibilities. Many first
time mothers also need more than 24 hours in the hospital to receive instruction in basic
infant care and breast feeding.
And sometimes an early discharge can be fatal. Michelle Bauman testified before a
Senate Committee that she was told to go home 28 hours after her daughter was born. Her
baby died within one day of her going home. If she had been allowed a 48-hour stay, she
would have been in the hospital when her daughter's symptoms appeared. As she so
tragically put it, "Another 24 hours and [her baby's] symptoms would have surfaced so that
we could have planned a christening, not a funeral."
Susan Jones and her baby son were discharged after about 24 hours. It turns out that
he had a heart defect which was not noticed by the hospital or the home health nurse who
came to visit on the third day. The baby died. Susan and an independent group of pediatric
cardiologists believe the problem would have been noticed in the hospital by the second or
third day.
As a nation that values the health of women and children, we must not turn our backs
on this problem. There is an emerging national consensus that we must put a stop to these
so-called "drive-through" deliveries. The American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics have issued guidelines recommending
a minimum stay of 48 hours following most normal deliveries and 96 hours following most
cesarean sections. Sixteen states have enacted laws to guarantee that level of coverage and
1
revised
DRAFT
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS TO THE NATION
MAY 11, 1996
Good morning. Tomorrow, millions of Americans will honor our mothers with hugs
and bouquets and visits for dinner. Others of us will simply offer up a silent prayer for the
mother who still lives in our heart but who has left this earth. I miss my own mother very
much, but especially on Mother's Day. I can't give her roses tomorrow, but with your help
we can honor all mothers by giving them something far more important -- the assurance that
when they bring a baby into this world, they will not be rushed out of the hospital until
doctors and patients, not insurance companies decide it is medically safe for both mother and
child.
In 1970, the average length of stay for an uncomplicated hospital delivery was 4 days.
By 1992, that average had declined to 2 days. Now a large and growing number of
insurance companies are refusing to pay for anything more than a 24-hour stay, except in the
most extreme circumstances, and some have recommended releasing women as early as 8
hours after delivery. This is an appalling trend that carries with it the potential for serious
health problems. Studies have shown that early release of infants can result in numerous
problems including feeding problems, severe dehydration, brain damage and stroke. In
addition, many mothers are not physically capable of providing for a newborn's needs 24-
hours after giving birth. They are exhausted, in pain and faced with an overwhelming set of
new responsibilities. Many first time mothers also need a few days in the hospital to receive
instruction in basic infant care and breast feeding.
And sometimes an early discharge can be fatal. Michelle Bauman testified before a
Senate Committee hearing that she was told to go home 28 hours after her daughter was
born. Her baby died within one day of her going home. If she had been allowed a 48-hour
stay, she would have been in the hospital when her daughter's symptoms appeared. As she
so tragically put it, "Another 24 hours and [her baby's] symptoms would have surfaced so
that we could have planned a christening, not a funeral."
Susan Jones and her baby son were discharged after about 24 hours. It turns out that
he had a heart defect which was not noticed by the hospital or the home health nurse who
came to visit on the third day. The baby died. Susan and an independent group of pediatric
cardiologists believe the problem would have been noticed in the hospital by the second or
third day.
As a nation that values the health of women and children, we must not turn our backs
on this problem. There is an emerging national consensus that we must put a stop to these
so-called "drive-through" deliveries. The American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics have issued guidelines recommending
a minimum stay of 48 hours following most normal deliveries and 96 hours following most
cesarean sections. Sixteen states have enacted laws to guarantee that level of coverage and
1
25 states are considering such a move.
A growing number of hospitals have taken it upon themselves to provide the second
day of coverage free. And one insurance company, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans of
Pennsylvania has responded to public concerns by offering 48 hour minimum coverage.
But, in the absence of coverage for all women in all states, Congress is taking action.
A Senate bill and separate House bills have been introduced -- all with bipartisan support --
to guarantee 48 hour post-partum hospital stays.
Let me be clear: This should be law. No insurance company accountant should
be free to make the final judgement about what is medically best for newborns and their
mothers. That decision should be left up to doctors, nurses, and mothers themselves.
Saving the life and health of mothers and newborns is more important than saving a few
dollars.
America's mothers hold a special place in our hearts. They provide the lessons and
care that have enabled generations of children to embrace the opportunities of this great land.
They deliver the precious gift of life. Let's give them a Mother's Day gift they so richly
deserve. Let's guarantee them 48 hour hospital stays to protect their health and the health of
their new born babies. They have sacrificed so much for us. It's the least we can do for
them.
Thank you, happy Mother's Day and thanks for listening.
2
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
10-Jun-1996 01:47pm
TO:
Victoria L. Radd
TO:
James T. Edmonds
TO:
Gabrielle M. Bushman
FROM:
Jeremy D. Benami
Domestic Policy Council
CC:
Jennifer L. Klein
CC:
Deborah L. Fine
SUBJECT:
teen pregnancy principles
Latest wording on the five teen pregnancy principles:
Abstinence
Clear Pathways to the Future
Parent and Adult Involvement
Community Involvement
Sustained Commitment
Let me know if those work for all of you.
Thanks.