Panel Recap: Closing Racial Disparity Gaps Through Policy Solutions
By Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS
During 2020 Mom’s recent Maternal Mental Health FORUM, one panel discussion was focused on “Closing Racial Disparity Gaps Through Policy Solutions.” The panel was moderated by U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL), who co-chairs the Congressional Black Maternal Health Caucus and is leading the Black Maternal Health Momnibus in the House of Representatives.
Panel speakers included:
Anna Benyo, MPP, Senior Program Officer, Center for Health Care Strategies
Amy Chen, Senior Attorney, National Health Law Program
Theresa Fortune, Public speaker, Community Activist and Producer, and Founder of Communion with the Community
Ivette Fullerton, MSW, PMH-C, Co-Founder & Grants Manager, Cihuapactli Collective
Kay Matthews, LCHW, Founder, Shades of Blue Project
Emily S. Miller, MD, MPH, Chief of Obstetrics Program Director, COMPASS Perinatal Mental Health Program and Assistant Professor Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Northwestern University
Kay Matthews, Theresa Fortune, and Ivette Fullerton spoke about their respective experiences with maternal mental health disorders, and highlighted the need for strong community support and culturally congruent care. In particular, Ms. Fullerton spoke about the need in the urban indigenous community for culturally sensitive care that taps into the resilience that can be found in a strong cultural identity and sense of belonging, noting policymakers shouldn’t dismiss this important source of healing.
Dr. Miller described the need for maternal health clinicians, such as obstetricians, to understand maternal mental health disorders, as it is difficult to treat physical maladies without appropriately addressing mental health issues that mothers may be struggling with. She highlighted the need for better integration of mental health services in physical health care settings in order to offer comprehensive care for mothers. Ms. Chen spoke about the importance of expanding access to doula care as well as extending Medicaid coverage for the full 12 months postpartum to ensure that those experiencing maternal mental health disorders that may onset later in the postpartum period receive adequate coverage. Ms. Benyo reiterated the importance of access to culturally appropriate doula care.
Rep. Underwood asked all panelists to share their policy priorities, and panelists offered the following ideas:
Dr. Miller: Policies to ensure that clinicians can continue to practice clinically appropriate and person-centered reproductive care.
Ms. Matthews: Passage of the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909/S. 484) which provides access to community-based services and increases the number of black and brown mental health providers.
Ms. Fullerton: Policies that don’t require assimilation and that acknowledge the experience of indigenous cultures.
Ms. Fortune: Access to doulas, midwives, and mental health professionals, as well as passage of the Moms Matter Act.
Ms. Chen: Universal, high-quality healthcare for all that includes reproductive, mental health, and substance use disorder coverage.
Ms. Benyo: Expansion of the midwifery workforce.
2020 Mom is grateful to Rep. Underwood and all of the panelists for the insightful and powerful discussion during the FORUM. 2020 Mom will continue to track these and other federal and state policy solutions that close gaps in maternal mental health care.