Sens. Gillibrand And Blunt Rochester, Reps. Clarke And Fitzpatrick Introduce Legislation To Combat The Maternal Mental Health Crisis

Mental health conditions—including substance use disorders—are the leading cause of preventable maternal death in the United States In New York, the maternal mortality rate for Black women is over four times that for white women Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Representatives Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Moms Matter Act , commonsense legislation to increase investments in maternal mental health programs and expand this vital workforce to better support moms and pregnant women. The Moms Matter Act would establish two grant programs to support moms with maternal mental health conditions or substance use disorders by investing in community-based programs that provide mental and behavioral health resources. The bill would also provide funding for programs to grow and diversify the maternal healthcare workforce in an effort to ensure quality, culturally competent care for demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality. “More women in the United States die from pregnancy-related complications than in any of our peer countries. That is downright shameful,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We must do more to support women at every step of their maternal health journey. This legislation would expand access to high-quality maternal mental healthcare and substance use disorder services to support moms and pregnant women — no matter their race, socioeconomic status, or zip code. It’s a commonsense bill, and I’m determined to get it passed.” “The United States of America is the richest country in the world, yet American mothers are dying at an alarming, and unacceptable, rate,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “ We know mental health conditions and substance use disorders are the leading cause of preventable maternal death during pregnancy and the postpartum period. By investing in programs that provide moms with the additional care they need, this bill offers a straightforward solution to this ongoing health crisis while also tackling disparities in health outcomes, and most importantly, saving the lives of new mothers.” “We are facing a maternal health crisis, with Black and brown women disproportionately impacted by barriers to equitable maternal healthcare and competency. I am proud to join my colleagues in the Senate in introducing this bicameral legislation, the Moms Matter Act , to invest in community-based programs supporting pre- and postpartum women facing mental health conditions and substance use disorders,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “As we come off the heels of Mother’s Day and observe this Mental Health Awareness Month, meeting this pivotal moment demands action that goes beyond more than words of affirmation. Our bill would strengthen and diversify the maternal mental and behavioral health workforce and increase access to high-quality care, because every mother deserves the support she needs to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy.” “Maternal mental health is not separate from family health, child health, or community health—it sits at the center of all three. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, I have worked to make sure families can access care early, close to home, and before crisis takes hold,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “The Moms Matter Act advances that mission by investing in community-based support for mothers facing mental health and substance use challenges, while strengthening the workforce needed to meet them with the care they deserve during pregnancy and postpartum. No mother should suffer in silence, and no family should be left to face a crisis alone.” Mental health conditions—including substance use disorders—are the leading cause of preventable maternal death during pregnancy or in the first year postpartum. However, despite the high need for care, over 80% of pregnant and recently postpartum women live in maternal mental health resource shortage areas. Additionally, maternal health challenges are most acute for low-income and Black families. In New York, the maternal mortality rate for Black women is over four times that for white women. The Moms Matter Act will help combat this crisis by increasing investments in local maternal healthcare programs and by expanding access to these programs in underserved areas. Specifically, the legislation will: Establish a Maternal Mental Health Equity Grant Program to invest in local initiatives supporting people with mental health conditions or substance use disorders during or after pregnancy; and Provide funding for programs to grow and diversify the maternal mental and behavioral healthcare workforce to expand access to high-quality maternal mental healthcare and substance use disorder services. The legislation is endorsed by over 200 maternal health organizations, including Moms Rising, March of Dimes, Reproductive Freedom for All, and the National Partnership for Women and Families. “The Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA) strongly supports the Moms Matter Act ,” said Jamie Zahlaway Belsito, Founder and Director of Policy and Partnerships at Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance. “The latest CDC data confirm that mental health conditions are now the leading underlying cause of pregnancy-related deaths, accounting for nearly 28% in 2022.  The numbers are increasing. This crisis is preventable. The Moms Matter Act will make critical investments in community-based, culturally responsive care and strengthen the maternal mental health workforce. Congress must commit to ensuring every new mother and family has access to the mental health care they need to survive and thrive.” The text of the legislation can be found here . ###