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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 28, 2023 10:05 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Elizabeth Fiedler and Rep. Gina H. Curry, Rep. Lisa A. Borowski |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Postpartum Depression Screening and Care |
| Many women experience postpartum depression. One in seven women, according to estimates, struggle every year with postpartum depression, which can interfere with their ability to care for their baby, themselves, and other family members. Due to insufficient screening and care, generations of women have been overlooked, stigmatized and suffered further. As a state, Pennsylvania must do a better job of helping women receive the care they need in the best interest of themselves and their family. One of the biggest challenges is the need to increase screening and care. This bill would establish a free-standing act known as the Prenatal and Postpartum Counseling and Screening Act to require all prenatal and postnatal clinicians to distribute information relating to postpartum depression to the mother and her family with the goal of increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and how to seek treatment. The bill would also instruct medical professionals to conduct a postpartum screening for depression upon delivery and at the first few postnatal check-up visits. This bill recognizes the importance of mental health in new mothers and links them with the critical care they deserve. Please join us in supporting Pennsylvania mothers and making maternal and child health a priority in Pennsylvania. |
Introduced as HB2127