Shaheen proposes new insurance mandate for pregnant moms

WASHINGTON — Citing New Hampshire’s failing grade in supporting maternal mental health, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is sponsoring legislation that would eliminate insurance cost-sharing for new mothers who get mental health or substance abuse services from pregnancy through a newborn child’s first birthday.

“Our country is facing a maternal mental health crisis and all too often, the mental health needs of pregnant women and new moms fall to the wayside as they adapt to life with a newborn. We can do more to ensure they have the support they need, which is why I’m proud to work with Senator (Tammy) Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) to introduce this bill that would allow more women to access mental health and substance use disorder services,” Shaheen said.

The Policy for Maternal Mental Health most recently gave New Hampshire an ”F” along with Connecticut among New England states. The report gave 40 states and the District of Columbia grades of D or F.

Massachusetts got a C and California led the nation with a B-minus.

Mental health conditions are the most common complication of pregnancy and birth; women of color are 3-4 times more likely to experience them.

Perinatal depression affects an estimated 10% to 20% of women in the U.S. and studies conclude that less than 15% of pregnant and postpartum women receive treatment for it.

The bill would mean pregnant women would have no out-of-pocket expense under commercial insurance plans for mental health and substance use treatment throughout the pregnancy and until the newborn is a year old.

U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster is sponsoring with colleagues a companion version of this Mental Health and Making Access More Affordable (MAMA) Act in the U.S. House.