Closing Gaps in Maternal Mental Health
The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health is a national think tank, nonprofit organization advancing policies that support a health care system that routinely detects and treats maternal mental health disorders for every mother, every time.
Certified Peer support is growing in interest as a means for building the mental health workforce. Peers have had similar mental health experiences and can help combat stigma, and support those who are suffering from mental health challenges in very meaningful ways.
Read MoreBelow is a summary from the Center for Connected Health Policy on the federal laws and regulations in place regarding telehealth, post the COVID Public Health Emergency.
What stays permanently:
Medicare reimbursement for eligible telehealth services when the patient is located in a geographically rural area AND in an eligible originating site (i.e. in most cases not the home).
In the mid 2010s, 2020 Mom spearheaded the passage of the largest maternal mental health state policy package to date in California. Since that time, 2020 Mom has also been tracking state legislation across the U.S.
Read MoreThe 117th Congress successfully passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 on December 23, 2022 and is now headed to President Biden’s desk for signature.
Read MoreThe federal bill that 2020 Mom has championed, was passed by Congress and calls for the development of a national strategic plan to address maternal mental health.
Read MoreTake two minutes and two clicks to tell Congress to pass legislation to improve access to contraception care, particularly now, post the overturn of Roe v Wade.
Read MoreIn early December, our policy team worked with a coalition of non-profit partners and submitted the following letter to Congressional appropriations leaders, urging them to prioritize contraception care and safe motherhood. This is a priority for 2020 Mom and our coalition partners given the state of reduced availability of abortions in the United States and the link between unintended pregnancies and higher rates of poor mental health outcomes.
Read More2020 Mom submitted the following letter on behalf of 50+ organizations, to House and Senate Majority and Minority leaders on December 5, 2022. The letter urges Congressional Leadership to include the bipartisan House-passed maternal mental health legislation in the end-of-year Omnibus.
Read MoreIn September 2022, the Department of Labor hosted a roundtable discussion on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The MHPAEA “was enacted in 2008 and requires insurance coverage for mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, to be no more restrictive than insurance coverage for other medical conditions.” 2020 Mom attended this discussion and submitted the following letter outlining the barriers to care and considerations for mental health parity.
Read More2022 was an important year for both federal mental health and maternal health policy. 2020 Mom led and supported critical pieces of legislation, engaged with key federal agencies, including the White House and CDC, and continued to serve as a top subject matter expert in not only maternal mental health policy, but also mental health parity and peer support.
Read MoreIn September 2022, The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) invited public comment on the draft recommendations for screening for suicide risk, and anxiety in adults. 2020 Mom submitted the following letter co-signed by 10 other organizations. It commends the USPSTF for its recommendation to screen adults, including the perinatal population, for anxiety, and suggested those who disclose suicidal ideation on a depression screener, be screened for suicide risk. Read more below.
Read MoreCMS finalizes “Birthing-Friendly” hospital designations, available in Fall 2023.
“Birthing-Friendly” Hospital Designationsare defined as “a publicly-reported, public-facing hospital designation on the quality and safety of maternity care.”
Read MoreA government report released in October confirms that during COVID, maternal health worsened, racial disparities grew, and rates of maternal mental health disorders rose.
Maternal deaths increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic was a contributing factor in 25% of all maternal deaths in 2020-2021, as found in the recent report published by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). GAO conducted this research because the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) includes a provision for GAO to report on its pandemic oversight efforts.
Read MoreIn September 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its latest report on maternal mortality in the U.S., noting in their press release, “Four in five pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable.” The report highlighted that the leading causes of pregnancy-related maternal mortality are mental health conditions. The CDC defines deaths due to mental health conditions as suicide and overdose/poisoning related to substance use disorder at 23% of deaths.
Read MoreOn July 24th, 2022, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Maternity Care Action Plan to support the implementation of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Mental Health Crisis. Read our analysis of this White House’s Blueprint here. The Maternity Care Action Plan aims to decrease inequities among pregnant people and improve health outcomes.
Read MoreOn June 17th, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its largest review of mental health data and programs across the globe since the 20th century in its World Mental Health Report: Transforming Mental Health for All. The blueprint outlines the necessary action that needs to be taken by governments, academics, health professionals, civil society, and others. The blueprint pulls from the most recent research, successful models of care, and highlights people’s lived experiences to justify each call to action.
Read MoreOn June 24th, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration released the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, outlining the administration’s vision for the United States to be “considered the best country in the world to have a baby.”
Read MoreLast month the Biden Administration released final regulations that make critical changes to Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans for the 2023 plan year. Annually, the Administration releases proposed changes to ACA plans for the upcoming plan year with the ability for outside stakeholders to submit comments in response to the proposed changes. After reviewing the stakeholder comments, the Administration adjusts its proposal accordingly and finalizes the regulations.
Read MoreIn light of the Roe v. Wade overturn we are urging lawmakers to take strong and immediate action to support pregnant and postpartum women, infants, children and families through efforts like expanding access to adoption, food and housing security and counseling so expecting mothers feel safe and cared for, the risk for Maternal Mental Health disorders is mitigated. And, so children are given every chance to thrive.
Read MoreWashington, DC - May 24, 2022 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Last week, as a result of the work of a strong non-profit coalition and grassroots advocacy effort led by the national maternal mental health think tank 2020 Mom, the TRIUMPH for New Moms Act was included in H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act.
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