The Policy Center Submits Feedback on the DOL’s New Proposed Mental Health Parity Rules

October 05, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

On July 25th, 2023, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury announced proposed rules to strengthen the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. We have been honored to be a part of shaping these rules with the Department of Labor and The Kennedy Forum over the past several years. This week the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health submitted the following letter in response to the proposed rules.

Federal Government Postpartum Depression Campaign Launched

September 28, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

As part of the Federal government’s efforts to address maternal mental health in America, the Office of Women’s Health has developed an awareness campaign - starting with postpartum depression. The Policy Center is partnering with HHS on further addressing the range of maternal mental health disorders (MMH), detection in pregnancy, and incorporating the universal symbol of MMH, the blue dot, into future materials.

Federal Maternal Mental Health Task Force Launches

September 28, 2023 by Joy Burkhard, MBA in POLICY

It’s an exciting time for maternal mental health for a number of reasons - and at the Policy Center, we are particularly excited to report that the new Federal Task Force on Maternal Mental Health launched on September 27.

The Policy Center Submits Feedback on CMS’ Physician Fee Schedule

September 13, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health submitted the following letter in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Proposed Physician Fee Schedule regarding peer support, community health workers, and social determinants of health, gleaning insights from our partners at Mental Health America and the American Association on Health and Disability.

CMS’ Toolkit on Postpartum Care Addresses Postpartum Depression – But Misses a Critical Opportunity to Address OB Payment and Peer Support

September 07, 2023 by Joy Burkhard, MBA, and Sarah Johanek, MPH in POLICY

In August 2023, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) published a postpartum toolkit for State Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Agencies titled Increasing Access, Quality, and Equity in Postpartum Care in Medicaid and CHIP. The toolkit addresses postpartum depression; however, we point out opportunities CMS missed, including addressing the role of the obstetric provider.

EEOC Proposes Employers Provide Accommodations for PPD

August 24, 2023 by Sarah Johanek, MPH in POLICY

August 11th, 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released a proposed rule for employers implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which addresses maternal mental health. The PWFA “prohibits employment practices that discriminate against making reasonable accommodations for qualified employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.” The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health submitted the following letter in response to the proposed rule for employers implementing the PWFA.

The Federal Moms Matter Act is Reintroduced

August 15, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

The Moms Matter Act (H.R. 3312/S. 1602), first introduced in 2021, was reintroduced this summer as part of the broader Momnibus bill package.

2025 Medicaid Adult Core Set Quality Standards Comment Letter

August 03, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

Medicaid utilizes the “Child and Adult Core Sets,” a set of quality measures, to measure the access and quality of care and to improve the quality of healthcare. Mathematica convenes the Child and Adult Core Set Annual Review Workgroup (“Workgroup”) to review and make recommendations for stronger measures. Joy Burkhard, our Executive Director, is a member of the Workgroup. This year’s Workgroup reviewed the 2025 Child and Adult Core Sets.

The National Governors Association Addresses Maternal Mental Health

July 28, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

This month the National Governors Association (NGA) released a policy playbook for governors to address the U.S. maternal and infant health crisis, including racial disparities, in their states. Maternal Mental Health is addressed in the playbook thanks to education efforts by organizations like the Policy Center.

Our work shaping and reporting on national mental health policy is made possible through a 2020-2023 capacity grant from the Perigee Fund.

The Department of Labor Issues New Proposed Mental Health Parity Rules

July 28, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

On July 25th, 2023, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury announced proposed rules to strengthen the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. We have been honored to be a part of shaping these rules with the Department of Labor and The Kennedy Forum over the past several years and will be submitting a comment letter with our feedback on the rules soon.

Our work shaping and reporting on national mental health policy is made possible through a 2020-2023 capacity grant from the Perigee Fund.

Federal Government Leans In on Contraception Access

July 21, 2023 by Sarah Johanek, MPH in POLICY

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires private health plans and issuers of health insurance to cover the full range of birth control methods approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) without cost-sharing. Although the contraceptive requirements in the ACA have expanded access to contraceptive products for millions of Americans, public reporting shows that people are still experiencing barriers to accessing full-range, FDA-approved contraception without cost-sharing.

The US Preventive Services Task Force Recommends Screening for Anxiety

June 23, 2023 by Joy Burkhard, MBA, and Sarah Johanek, MPH in POLICY

This week the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) expanded its recommendation to screen adults (including those who are pregnant) for anxiety in addition to depression. Additionally the USPSTF is not recommending universal suicide risk screening at this time.

HHS Publishes National Model Standards for Substance Use, Mental Health, and Family Peer Worker Certifications

June 16, 2023 by Sarah Johanek, MPH in POLICY

On June 6th, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) published National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification for substance use, mental health, and family peer workers. These standards aim to accelerate the universal adoption, recognition, and integration of the peer mental health workforce across all elements of the healthcare system.

SAMHSA Strategic Plan Draft for 2023-2026: The Policy Center’s Response

May 02, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

In April 2023, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) released its Draft Strategic Plan for 2023 to 2026 and requested public comments. The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (the “Policy Center”) submitted the following letter in response to each priority area, with a particular focus on integrating behavioral and physical healthcare and strengthening the behavioral health workforce.

Black Mamas Matter Alliance's New Policy Agenda

April 21, 2023 by Sarah Johanek, MPH in POLICY

The Black Mamas Matter Alliance held a virtual rally to launch "Black Mamas Matter: In Policy and Practice,” Black Mamas Matter Alliance’s (BMMA) new policy agenda last week. This policy agenda articulates BMMA’s organizational stance and specific policy recommendations on a range of Black Maternal Health policy issues, including:

Structural and Social Determinants of Black Maternal Health
Full Spectrum Maternal, Sexual, and Reproductive Healthcare

Feedback Shared with SAMHSA on the National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification

April 17, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

In April, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) invited public comment on their National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification. The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (the “Policy Center”) submitted the following comments, highlighting the need to address state peer training, certification, and reimbursement for peers providing mental health services, as many states have only focused on peers providing support for substance use.

Our Letter in Support of a State Midwifery Access Bill

April 17, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

On April 7th, 2023, the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health submitted the following letter in support of SB 667, California’s proposed legislation to improve access to healthcare for women and pregnant people across the state by removing barriers and ensuring Certified Nurse-Midwives can practice to the full extent of their scope and training. We believe all states should allow Certified Nurse-Midwives to practice to the full extent of their licenses without restrictions.

Open Letter to Senate HELP Committee on Healthcare Workforce Shortage Solutions

March 30, 2023 by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Policy Team in POLICY

In February 2023, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) requested information from stakeholders on the drivers and potential solutions to healthcare workforce shortages. The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (formerly 2020 Mom) submitted the following letter outlining our recommendations to increase the capacity and diversity of the healthcare workforce.

An Open Letter to New Mental Health Caucus Leader on Top Policy Priorities

March 01, 2023 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

On January 12th, 2023, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA-31) announced Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT-02) as the new Co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus.

Rep. Stewart shared, "I couldn't be prouder to co-chair this bipartisan caucus and elevate the conversation around mental health…suicide is a top ten cause of death nationwide, as well as in my home state. We are wholeheartedly committed to finding real-world, bipartisan solutions to help all Americans struggling with mental health challenges, and we will work tirelessly to uphold that commitment."

February 2023 Health and Human Services Agency Maternal Health Briefing - A Program Overview

February 22, 2023 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

In honor of Black History Month, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hosted a briefing on maternal health priorities and activities on Friday, 17th, 2023. Secretary Xavier Becerra and other key agency leaders shared new funding authorized by the passage of the federal budget bill (the Omnibus) and other Department activities to advance maternal health outcomes, including addressing inequities.