Federal Agencies Move Forward with “Surprise Billing” Regulations that will Impact Moms

October 06, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

In December 2020, the No Surprises Act was signed into law as part of the fiscal year 2021 appropriations package. This Act aims to protect patients from “surprise” medical bills, which are unexpected bills that individuals may receive after receiving healthcare services. In July 2021, in an effort to start implementing the No Surprises Act, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Labor (DoL), Department of the Treasury, and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a regulation to restrict excessive out-of-pocket costs from surprise billing. This rule goes into effect for health care providers and facilities, as well as group health plans, health insurance issuers, and Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program carriers on January 1, 2022.

TRIUMPH for New Moms Act Introduced in the Senate

September 24, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

On September 21, 2021, Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the Taskforce Recommending Improvements for Unaddressed Mental Perinatal and Postpartum Health (TRIUMPH) for New Moms Act (S. 2779/H.R. 4217) in the U.S. Senate. This bill, if passed, will coordinate federal programs for maternal mental health and create a national strategic plan for addressing maternal mental health disorders.

2020 Mom Submits Comments to NIH to Prioritize Maternal Mental Health

September 16, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

Over the summer, the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) released a request for information on areas of women’s health that should be prioritized during the upcoming NIH/ORWH Women's Health Consensus Conference (WHCC), which will be held in October 2021. 2020 Mom submitted comments to the NIH in response to this request for information.

HHS Releases Report Summarizing Federal Maternal Mental Health Programs

September 03, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

In December 2019, as a result of 2020 Mom’s advocacy efforts, the House Committee on Appropriations requested that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) develop a report on the role of HHS in addressing maternal mental health (MMH). HHS released their report earlier this year, summarizing existing programs and resources that exist to serve individuals with MMH disorders. For the purpose of the report, HHS defined MMH disorders as depression, anxiety, and psychosis during pregnancy or one year postpartum.

Federal Government Addresses Maternal Health—Including MMH—in a New Report

August 28, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report on Maternal Mortality and Morbidity among Rural Populations

Earlier this year, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the federal government oversight and assessment office, released a report titled, Maternal Mortality and Morbidity: Additional Efforts Needed to Assess Program Data for Rural and Underserved Areas.

The Energetic Push for Paid Leave in the U.S. and Why it Matters to Maternal Health

August 10, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

In 1993 the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was passed into law, marking the first national unpaid leave policy. The law, which applies to employers with 50 or more employees, stipulates eligible workers can take up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave to care for a newborn or newly adopted child; to care for a spouse, child or parent with a serious medical condition; to recover from a serious health condition themselves; or to take military family leave.

House Passes 2022 Health Funding Bill

August 04, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

On July 29th, the full House of Representatives passed an appropriations minibus package that included the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS) funding bill for fiscal year (FY) 2022 (October 1, 2021 - September 30, 2022). The L-HHS bill includes increased funding for several mental health, maternal health, substance use, and other public health programs. The bill passed along party lines with a vote of 219-208.

Congress Recognizes Black Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

July 26, 2021 by Joy Burkhard, MBA in POLICY

According to a press release issued by the Shades of Blue Project, host of the official Black Maternal Mental Health Week (BMMHW) awareness campaign, “Cultural barriers and lack of representation in the mental health field continue to limit Black women from seeking help” for maternal mental health care.

House Appropriations Committee Recommends Increased Funding for Maternal Health Programs

July 22, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

On July 15th, the House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee considered and passed its fiscal year (FY) 2022 (October 1, 2021 - September 30, 2022) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS) funding bill. Building upon the work of the L-HHS Subcommittee on July 12th, the full Committee, which is led by Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and “Ranking Member” Kay Granger (R-TX), recommends increased funding for many mental health, maternal health, substance use, and other public health programs.

Proposed Federal Health Funding Bill – What You Need to Know

July 12, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

On July 12th, the House of Representatives’ Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS) “marked up” and passed their proposed federal funding bill for fiscal year (FY) 2022, which will begin on October 1, 2021, and end on September 30, 2022.

TRIUMPH for New Moms Act To Build Strategy for Improved Mental Health of U.S. Mothers

June 29, 2021 by 2020 Mom in POLICY, ANNOUNCEMENTS

2020 Mom champions a new bill calling for the formation of a federal interdepartmental maternal mental health task force and strategic plan to identify opportunities, coordinate resources, and build upon programs to improve the well-being of mothers.

Federal Policies to Support the Maternal Health of Our Nation’s Servicemembers

June 25, 2021 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

There are approximately 230,000 active-duty women and nearly two million women veterans in the United States. Over 500,000 women veterans are under 40 years of age, underscoring the importance of implementing federal policies that support this growing population. To meet the needs of this demographic, Congress succeeded in passing two maternal health bills, the Military Moms Mental Health Assessment Act and the TRICARE Coverage for Doula Support Act within the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This year, the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee recently announced their markup schedule for the 2022 NDAA, with the U.S. Senate following in the fall. Continuing to build on the success last year, there are several bills to watch that have the potential to make it across the finish line this year.

Biden Administration Releases Its Budget Proposal

June 02, 2021 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

Here’s how it supports mothers and families:

The American Families Plan will provide direct support to families to ensure that low- and middle-income families spend no more than seven percent of their income on child care, and that the child care they access is of high quality. It will also provide direct support to workers and families by creating a national comprehensive paid family and medical leave program that will bring the American system in line with competitor nations that offer paid leave programs. And, the plan will provide critical nutritional assistance to families who need it most and expand access to healthy meals to our Nation’s students – dramatically reducing childhood hunger.

Why The Moms Matter Act?

May 20, 2021 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

In honor of May as Maternal Mental Health Month, we are continuing to lift up a critical bill that seeks to support the maternal health and wellbeing of mothers; specifically Black and other minority mothers who have faced disparities for far too long.

Up to one in five women will suffer from a maternal mental health disorder like postpartum depression, however women of color, or those who are economically disadvantaged, are several times more likely to suffer, and less likely to receive care.

A Significant Solution for Maternal Mental Health: Certified Peer Specialists

May 04, 2021 by Joy Burkhard, MBA in Innovative Solutions, POLICY

Peer support provided by trained peer support specialists is a proven model for addressing mental health conditions. In 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) identified peer support services for mental health to be an evidence-based practice. CMS deems the use of certified peer specialists reimbursable for states that choose to incorporate these services into their Medicaid plans. When a peer is trained/certified by state-sanctioned training/certification programs their time may be billable to Medicaid.

California Maternal Mental Health Law Reintroduced: The Mothers and Children Mental Health Support Act of 2021 Telehealth: Mental Health Consultation

March 17, 2021 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

In late February AB 935, the Mothers and Children Mental Health Support Act of 2021: Telehealth: Mental Health Consultation, was reintroduced in the California legislature by Assembly member Brian Maienschein.

Postpartum Medicaid Coverage Extension Passes Through the American Rescue Plan

March 10, 2021 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 passed Congress and is now on its way to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The implementation of this health care heavy bill will require an immense amount of coordinated work from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to roll out provisions that fall within its jurisdiction.

Supporting Women and Children: President Biden’s American Rescue Plan

January 27, 2021 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

Last month, the Biden Administration released a $1.9 trillion proposal to support Americans and the economy entitled, “American Rescue Plan”. The proposal is a welcomed sign of hope for the millions of mothers across the nation who have found their physical, psychological, and financial well-being hanging in the balance. There is no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has put a disproportionate amount of strain on mothers. The pandemic has highlighted for the nation what many mothers already knew—women in the United States bear the brunt of balancing work and family obligations. Research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that mothers working full-time spend 50% more time each day caring for children versus full-time working fathers. Mothers need support and the American Rescue Plan includes several provisions to assist mothers and their children during this unprecedented time in our nation’s history.

Congress Addresses Maternal Mental Health in COVID Spending Package

December 22, 2020 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

This week Congress passed the “Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021” (aka the COVID Relieve package) a 5000+ page bill. Last year 2020 Mom pushed to secure funding for the Health and Human Services Administration (HHS) to produce a Federal Interagency Report to Congress noting what each agency is doing to address maternal mental health, and what gaps might exist in coordination, resources, etc.

New Model State Parity Legislation Named in Honor of Former U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad

December 10, 2020 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

Tool will help policymakers increase access to mental health and addiction care amid historic rates of overdoses and suicides across the nation

Today, The Kennedy Forum released the Jim Ramstad Model State Parity Legislation, which will hold health insurers accountable for discriminating against those with mental health and substance use disorders by wrongly denying coverage of care.