House Health Committee approves postpartum depression bill
Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler May 21, 2024
Harrisburg, May 21—On Tuesday the House Health Committee voted to advance HB2127, the Postpartum Depression Screening and Care Act (HB 2127), introduced by Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Phila.), Gina Curry (D-Delaware), and Lisa Borowski (D-Delaware).
The bill would create a public awareness push by requiring clinicians to provide expectant and new mothers with information about perinatal or postpartum depression, mood, and anxiety disorders. It would also require patients receive regular screenings for symptoms until their baby is one year old.
“Our society expects new parents to be filled solely with happiness, joy, and updates about the baby’s weight and sleep,” Fiedler said. “There is little time—or desire—for talk of depression. The good news is that with greater awareness and diagnoses, there is hope for these new moms, and their babies.”
“The health of the mother is directly tied to the wellbeing of the family. As a young mother I can remember feeling overwhelmed and sometimes hopeless. We need to help women put a name on these feelings, know it is normal, and connect them with the best options for support. Postpartum depression can affect even the most seasoned mother,” Borowski said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislation to help families thrive.”
Postpartum depression is distinct from what some call “baby blues,” feelings of sadness or anxiety that only last a few days or weeks. It is a longer-lasting, more severe type of depression. Despite being lesser known, it affects about 1 in 8 new mothers. And according to a recent report from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, mental health conditions were the leading cause of death for pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated cases in 2020.
“Postpartum depression is a scary disorder. It becomes even more frightening when left unchecked and undiagnosed. In order to live up to our promise to protect mothers through the entire birthing process and beyond, we need to ensure that new mothers know that there is help for them if they are struggling after giving birth to their child,” Curry said. “I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation so that we can help new mothers understand every part of their birthing journey, leading to a happier and healthy lives all across the Commonwealth.”
Due to widespread stigma, lack of education, and insufficient screening, many mothers never get the mental health care they deserve or have the opportunity to understand what they’re feeling. HB2127 will help mothers make informed decisions about pursuing treatment options like counseling.
“All providers acknowledge that screening for perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders is important. We know it can make a difference. This legislation makes sure that patients don’t get missed because they just don’t look depressed, or because a provider feels nervous asking them about their feelings,” said Rep. Dan Frankel, majority chair of the Health Committee.
The bill has the support of maternal and reproductive health organizations, including March of Dimes, the Maternity Care Coalition, the Pennsylvania Association of Certified Nurse-Midwives, and Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates.
“In Pennsylvania, many women experience mental health challenges during pregnancy and the postpartum period. What’s more alarming is individuals who experience racial or economic inequities, are more likely to experience maternal mental health conditions, but less likely to get help,” said Melissa Patti, director of maternal and infant health initiatives for March of Dimes. “In Pennsylvania, March of Dimes is supporting the passage of HB2127 and efforts to increase screening for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, connection to resources, and awareness.”
HB2127 is part of the “Momnibus” legislative package introduced by the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus, with a stated purpose of directly confronting the staggering rate of Black maternal mortality and morbidity in Pennsylvania. Other bills in the package propose expanding Medicaid coverage for doula services, requiring private insurance coverage of blood pressure cuffs for new parents, distributing “welcome baby kits” to some new mothers, and more.
"Maternal mental health care is paramount to a healthy family unit. We know that maternal mental health not only affects the individual suffering during or after pregnancy but their entire family,” said Emily McGahey, legislative chair of the Pennsylvania Association of Certified Nurse-Midwives. “As we look for solutions to the maternal health crisis in our country, repairing our current system where there is a lack of mental health screening and services is one critical step to turn the tides on these poor outcomes.”
The bill now awaits a vote on the House floor.