The House on Monday voted 382-3 to pass a bill (HR 20)that would authorize $3 million in grants in fiscal year 2008 to studythe causes and treatments of postpartum depression and postpartumpsychosis, CQ Today reports (Armstrong, CQ Today, 10/15).
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), also would provide grants through HHSfor the %26quot;establishment, operation and coordination of effective andcost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services%26quot; forwomen with the conditions and their families. The measure initiallywould have directed NIHto conduct research on postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis,but a House subcommittee in July approved an amendment that changed thelanguage from %26quot;directed%26quot; to %26quot;encouraged.%26quot; The bill would authorize%26quot;such sums as necessary%26quot; to continue the research for FY 2009 and FY2010 (Kaiser Daily Women’s Health Policy Report, 9/28). According to the Congressional Budget Office, the measure could cost $15 million over five years if grants and other programs in the bill are funded (CQ Today, 10/15).
The bill also encourages the National Institute of Mental Health, NIH and the HHS secretary to carry out a national campaign to increaseawareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and postpartumpsychosis, the AP/Google.comreports. The measure also includes language that calls for a study intomental health issues related to abortion and miscarriages. Rep. JosephPitts (R-Pa.), who opposes abortion rights, said that althoughpostpartum depression is a serious disease, it is "just as important toknow the effects of adoption, miscarriage and abortion in order toproperly help women" (Abrams, AP/Google.com, 10/15).
According to a CDC study, about 18% of women experience depression after giving birth. The Senate has introduced a companion bill (S 1375)that does not contain abortion-related language. According to a Rushaide, Rush’s staff will speak with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.),sponsor of the Senate legislation, about making his measure moresimilar to the House bill. Rush said, "No longer will postpartumdepression be dismissed as mere ‘baby blues’" (CQ Today, 10/15).
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), also would provide grants through HHSfor the %26quot;establishment, operation and coordination of effective andcost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services%26quot; forwomen with the conditions and their families. The measure initiallywould have directed NIHto conduct research on postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis,but a House subcommittee in July approved an amendment that changed thelanguage from %26quot;directed%26quot; to %26quot;encouraged.%26quot; The bill would authorize%26quot;such sums as necessary%26quot; to continue the research for FY 2009 and FY2010 (Kaiser Daily Women’s Health Policy Report, 9/28). According to the Congressional Budget Office, the measure could cost $15 million over five years if grants and other programs in the bill are funded (CQ Today, 10/15).
The bill also encourages the National Institute of Mental Health, NIH and the HHS secretary to carry out a national campaign to increaseawareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and postpartumpsychosis, the AP/Google.comreports. The measure also includes language that calls for a study intomental health issues related to abortion and miscarriages. Rep. JosephPitts (R-Pa.), who opposes abortion rights, said that althoughpostpartum depression is a serious disease, it is "just as important toknow the effects of adoption, miscarriage and abortion in order toproperly help women" (Abrams, AP/Google.com, 10/15).
According to a CDC study, about 18% of women experience depression after giving birth. The Senate has introduced a companion bill (S 1375)that does not contain abortion-related language. According to a Rushaide, Rush’s staff will speak with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.),sponsor of the Senate legislation, about making his measure moresimilar to the House bill. Rush said, "No longer will postpartumdepression be dismissed as mere ‘baby blues’" (CQ Today, 10/15).
Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork.org. You can view theentire Kaiser DailyWomen’s Health Policy Report, search the archives, and sign up for emaildelivery at kaisernetwork.org/email. The Kaiser Daily Women’s Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, afree service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. 2007 Advisory BoardCompany and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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