Closing Gaps in Maternal Mental Healthcare
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.
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.
Read MoreIt’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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreAugust 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.
Read MoreMedicaid 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreOn 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreOn 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.
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 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 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 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.
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