There is no provision in existing law that requires the assessment of mothers after giving birth for postpartum depression. This bill would require the Alabama Medicaid Agency to cover screening and would also regulate how Medicaid covers prescription drugs used to treat postpartum depression. This bill would further require the Alabama Department of Public Health to develop educational materials on postpartum depression for health care professionals and parents of newborns. Doctors and other health care professionals would be required to assess birth mothers for postpartum depression as part of postnatal or pediatric care.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-6-125