New bill targets postpartum depression

New legislation was introduced last Friday by Senators Menendez (D-NJ) and Durbin (D-IL) which promotes increased research, education and access to screenings for postpartum depression for new mothers. The bill, known as The Mom’s Opportunity To Access Help, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression (MOTHERS) Act, also proposes grants to health care providers in order to better facilitate the delivery of healthcare to those suffering from postpartum depression. You can read the ACNM’s statement of support for this legislation here, and Senator Menendez’s statement on the proposed bill here. Postpartum depression affects 10-15% of all postpartum women any time from a month to a year after childbirth, and can be incredibly devastating to both the woman and her family, so a bill like this is an encouraging sign, and definitely deserves our support.

This entry was posted in Midwifery, News, Politics, Postpartum. Bookmark the permalink. Trackbacks are closed, but you can post a comment.

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  1. […] Posted by Rachel on June 25th, 2006 Via Belly Tales, a bill (S.3529) has been introduced in the Senate (on 6/15) by sponsor Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and co-sponsor Richard Durbin (D-IL) which would provide grant funds for expanded education of new mothers about postpartum depression, and require follow-up care with these mothers to screen for the condition. It would also generate additional research on PPD, via the National Institutes of Health. […]

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