Independence Health Plan, a health maintenance organization, offers a post-natal care program called MOTHER CARE, which allows the mother and newborn to return home within twenty-four hours of delivery. A nurse from the Visiting Nurse Association of Metropolitan Detroit visits the mother and baby the day following hospital discharge and again three days later. A home care aide from Homemakers Service of Metropolitan Detroit provides up to twenty-four hours (divided among several days) of aide service; responsibilities may include house cleaning, meal preparation, shopping and child care. Two goals are accomplished: mothers and babies return home with adequate support to ensure a safe, comfortable recovery and family integration; hospital costs are reduced. An evaluation of the program is in process.