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.
Leading baby food company teams up with policy think tank and thought leader for first-of-its-kind national map and “Pin”-tition to shed light on maternal mental health care in the U.S.
Read MoreThe Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, in collaboration with the George Washington University, is releasing the first-ever grading of state efforts in addressing maternal mental health; The results are gut-wrenching – the U.S. has received a D, and 42 states received Ds and Fs.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreThe 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
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.
Read MoreOn 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.
Read MoreIn 2022, with the financial support of the ZOMA Foundation, we ran an analysis of private insurer claim data to better understand the rate at which providers, including Obstetricians, are billing private insurers for screening and treatment services in pregnancy and the postpartum period. The data reflected 2021 claim sets.
Read MoreWhile maternal mental health (MMH) disorders can impact anyone during pregnancy or the postpartum period, American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) mothers experience higher than average risk and prevalence for MMH disorders.
Read More2020 Mom Announces its new name: the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. The name reflects the 10+ year-old non-profit organization’s work identifying a path forward for health care systems change, with the goal that all mothers are provided the support and treatments they need to thrive.
Read MoreIn March, The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health announced at the 2023 annual FORUM plans to unveil Maternal Mental Health State Report Cards this May.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreThe following articles caught my eye in the first part of February, most notably, we are close to having a pill form of brexanolone (Zulresso), called zuranolone. Zulresso was the first drug on the market developed specifically for maternal depression, which exists only in an intravenous form. We’re also highlighting an article from Health Affairs that describes an increase in PCP visits for mental health concerns, something we surely are seeing in obstetrics too. Finally, the tragedy in Massachusetts involving a suspected case of postpartum psychosis (likely triggered not only by lack of sleep, but the 10+ drugs this mother was prescribed) has inspired a lawmaker to introduce a bill to put such mothers in intensive treatment programs rather than in jail.
Read MoreRep. 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."
Read MoreIn January news broke about a Massachusetts mother, Lindsay Clancy, reportedly suffering from postpartum psychosis, taking her 3 children’s lives and attempting to take her own. We picked the article that best describes the situation and the nuances of postpartum psychosis in this edition of What We’re Reading.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreCertified 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 More2020 Mom, a national leader in maternal mental health policy and practice change, shares the importance of detecting postpartum psychosis by re-releasing its psychosis symptom list.
Read MoreMany important articles were released these first two weeks of the new year including a study highlighting the wealthiest of Black women still have higher maternal death rates than the poorest of White women. And a new research study confirms that paid leave is critical in supporting mothers with maternal mental health disorders and that generous paid leave can prevent maternal depression.
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 this edition, we share the latest articles on maternal health, telehealth, and reproductive access (including new labeling of the morning after pill). The articles that most excited and saddened me were an article addressing the role a bachelor’s level psychologist can play in conducting assessments to pinpoint diagnoses, and a new study that highlighted the pandemic had an outsized impact on maternal overdoses – an 81% increase from 2017-2021.
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