New Bills Boost Mental Health Access for Moms, Low-Income Kids
“Children and new moms stand to gain improved access to mental health services under two bills recently signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown. The Maternal Mental Health bill requires doctors working with pregnant women and new moms to screen these patients for postpartum depression and other mental health conditions. Under the bill, signed by Gov. Brown on Sep. 30, health insurers must also develop treatment programs for maternal mental health issues and guidelines for obstetricians on what to do when a woman screens positive for a postpartum mood disorder.”