SB 788 - This act establishes the "Postpartum Depression Care Act". Under this act, all hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers that provide labor and delivery services shall, prior to discharge following pregnancy, provide pregnant women and, if possible, new fathers and other family members information about postpartum depression, including its symptoms, treatment, and available resources. The Department of Health and Senior Services, in cooperation with the Department of Mental Health, shall provide written information that the hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers may use and shall include such information on its website.

Additionally, health care providers who are providing postnatal care to women until six months following the birth shall invite the woman to complete a questionnaire designed to detect the symptoms of postpartum depression or related mental health disorders and shall review the results in accordance with the formal opinions and recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Health care providers who are providing pediatric care to an infant shall invite the infant's birth mother to complete the questionnaire at any well-baby checkup beginning at the infant's one-month checkup until the infant is six months old and shall review the results in accordance with the formal opinions and recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, in order to ensure that the health and well-being of the infant are not compromised by undiagnosed postpartum depression or related mental health disorders in the birth mother. With the birth mother's consent, the health care provider shall share the results with the birth mother's primary health care provider or mental health care provider of her choice, unless the health care provider determines the birth mother presents an acute danger to herself, the infant, or another, in which case her consent shall not be required.

Finally, current law allows certain pregnant women receiving MO HealthNet benefits to continue to be eligible for all pregnancy-related and postpartum benefits for 60 days following the last day of their pregnancy. Under this act, such women who are receiving mental health treatment for postpartum depression or related mental health conditions within 60 days of giving birth shall, subject to appropriations and federal approval, be eligible for MO HealthNet benefits for mental health services for the treatment of postpartum depression and related mental health conditions for up to twelve additional months.

This act is substantially similar to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1682 (2020), SCS/HB 1383 (2020), and SB 263 (2019).

SARAH HASKINS

Statutes affected:
Introduced (3268S.02): 191.940, 208.151

Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 788
Sponsor: Schupp
Hearing Date: 3/11/2020


COMMITTEE: Health and Pensions

CHAIRMAN: Onder

DATE REFERRED: 2/13/2020 DATE HEARING REQUESTED: 2/13/2020



STAFF:
Sarah Haskins
Katie O'Brien
Theckla Spainhower


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:



WITNESSES FOR:
Emily Van Schenkhof - Children's Trust Fund
Garrett Webb - Mo Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Mary Chant - MO Coalition of Children's Agencies
Craig Stevenson - Kids Win Missouri
Samuel Lee - Campaign Life Missouri
Jessica Seitz - Missouri Kids First
Jessica Petrie - St. Louis Children's Hospital- BJC Healthcare
Sarah Schlemeyer - American College of Obstetricians and Gynocologist
Heidi Sutherland - Missouri State Medical Association
Abigail Buckhouse - Generate Health
Lisa Chirstie - Missouri Psychological Association
Sarah Paulsrud - Empower Missouri
George Hubbell - MO ACOG & MSMA
Jamie Morris - Missouri Catholic Conference
Gena Terlizzi - NAMI Missouri
Randy Scherr - Missouri Psychiatric Physicians Association
Arnie Dienoff - State Public Advocate


WITNESSES AGAINST: