The Energetic Push for Paid Leave in the U.S. and Why it Matters to Maternal Health

August 10, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

In 1993 the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was passed into law, marking the first national unpaid leave policy. The law, which applies to employers with 50 or more employees, stipulates eligible workers can take up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave to care for a newborn or newly adopted child; to care for a spouse, child or parent with a serious medical condition; to recover from a serious health condition themselves; or to take military family leave.

Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 Marks Our 10th Anniversary

August 09, 2021 by 2020 Mom in EMERGING CONSIDERATIONS

We turn 10 on September 15th.
We are so grateful to have played a foundational role in identifying the gaps and barriers to providing universal maternal mental health care and elevating the opportunities to close them.

House Passes 2022 Health Funding Bill

August 04, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

On July 29th, the full House of Representatives passed an appropriations minibus package that included the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS) funding bill for fiscal year (FY) 2022 (October 1, 2021 - September 30, 2022). The L-HHS bill includes increased funding for several mental health, maternal health, substance use, and other public health programs. The bill passed along party lines with a vote of 219-208.

What We’re Reading

July 29, 2021 by joy Burkhard in What We Are Reading

Here are the articles and reports that caught my eye during the month of July. Highlights include stories and research findings that show postpartum depression on the rise, especially for women of color. On a related note, there’s a new drug that could help treat perinatal depression. Additionally, healthcare and life science organizations are looking to decrease operational costs, improve health data interoperability, and enable data-driven decision-making for clinicians to improve access to quality care. Finally, more articles below explore ways researchers are using health technology and innovation to monitor depression and anxiety in hopes to improve overall healthcare.

Congress Recognizes Black Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

July 26, 2021 by Joy Burkhard in POLICY

According to a press release issued by the Shades of Blue Project, host of the official Black Maternal Mental Health Week (BMMHW) awareness campaign, “Cultural barriers and lack of representation in the mental health field continue to limit Black women from seeking help” for maternal mental health care.

House Appropriations Committee Recommends Increased Funding for Maternal Health Programs

July 22, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

On July 15th, the House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee considered and passed its fiscal year (FY) 2022 (October 1, 2021 - September 30, 2022) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS) funding bill. Building upon the work of the L-HHS Subcommittee on July 12th, the full Committee, which is led by Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and “Ranking Member” Kay Granger (R-TX), recommends increased funding for many mental health, maternal health, substance use, and other public health programs.

2020 Mom Welcomes Two New Staff Members to the Executive Leadership Team

July 20, 2021 by 2020 Mom in EMERGING CONSIDERATIONS

LaToya Davis, Communications and Marketing Director; Shalini Wickramatilake, Director of Public Policy, join 2020 Mom to further its work to aggressively close the gaps in maternal mental health.

July is BIPOC Mental Health Month

July 13, 2021 by 2020 Mom in EMERGING CONSIDERATIONS

Formally recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2008 (and currently designated as), Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was created to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face regarding mental illness in the US. As an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate, Bebe Moore Campbell worked tirelessly to shed light on the mental health needs of the Black community and other underrepresented communities.

Proposed Federal Health Funding Bill – What You Need to Know

July 12, 2021 by Shalini Wickramatilake, MHS in POLICY

On July 12th, the House of Representatives’ Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS) “marked up” and passed their proposed federal funding bill for fiscal year (FY) 2022, which will begin on October 1, 2021, and end on September 30, 2022.

What We’re Reading

June 29, 2021 by Joy Burkhard in What We Are Reading

Here are the articles and reports that caught my eye in May and June. Highlights include two new reports - one by Rand making new policy recommendations to solve the mental health care delivery crisis, another from Well Being Trust, its annual report on deaths of despair. On a related note, a discussion on how the “pregnancy check box” on the death certificate has ‘conflated’ the U.S. maternal mortality rate. Additionally, new research suggests that screening for early breastfeeding struggles may help identify mothers who may be at risk for maternal mental health disorders. Finally, more articles below illustrate yet more heart-wrenching evidence surrounding maternal disparities among Black mothers.

TRIUMPH for New Moms Act To Build Strategy for Improved Mental Health of U.S. Mothers

June 29, 2021 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

2020 Mom champions a new bill calling for the formation of a federal interdepartmental maternal mental health task force and strategic plan to identify opportunities, coordinate resources, and build upon programs to improve the well-being of mothers.

Federal Policies to Support the Maternal Health of Our Nation’s Servicemembers

June 25, 2021 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

There are approximately 230,000 active-duty women and nearly two million women veterans in the United States. Over 500,000 women veterans are under 40 years of age, underscoring the importance of implementing federal policies that support this growing population. To meet the needs of this demographic, Congress succeeded in passing two maternal health bills, the Military Moms Mental Health Assessment Act and the TRICARE Coverage for Doula Support Act within the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This year, the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee recently announced their markup schedule for the 2022 NDAA, with the U.S. Senate following in the fall. Continuing to build on the success last year, there are several bills to watch that have the potential to make it across the finish line this year.

Biden Administration Releases Its Budget Proposal

June 02, 2021 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

Here’s how it supports mothers and families:

The American Families Plan will provide direct support to families to ensure that low- and middle-income families spend no more than seven percent of their income on child care, and that the child care they access is of high quality. It will also provide direct support to workers and families by creating a national comprehensive paid family and medical leave program that will bring the American system in line with competitor nations that offer paid leave programs. And, the plan will provide critical nutritional assistance to families who need it most and expand access to healthy meals to our Nation’s students – dramatically reducing childhood hunger.

Why The Moms Matter Act?

May 20, 2021 by 2020 Mom in POLICY

In honor of May as Maternal Mental Health Month, we are continuing to lift up a critical bill that seeks to support the maternal health and wellbeing of mothers; specifically Black and other minority mothers who have faced disparities for far too long.

Up to one in five women will suffer from a maternal mental health disorder like postpartum depression, however women of color, or those who are economically disadvantaged, are several times more likely to suffer, and less likely to receive care.

Black Mothers Get Less Treatment For Postpartum Depression Than Other Moms

May 19, 2021 by 2020 Mom in EMERGING CONSIDERATIONS

Portia Smith’s most vivid memories of her daughter Nelly’s first year are of tears. Not the baby’s. Her own.

“I would just hold her and cry all day,” Smith recalled.

At 18, Smith was caring for two children, 4-year-old Kelaiah and newborn Nelly, with little help from her abusive partner. The circumstances were difficult, but she knew the tears were more than that.

Adverse Babyhood Experiences (ABEs): 10 New Categories of Adversity Before a Child's 3rd Birthday

May 18, 2021 by 2020 Mom in EMERGING CONSIDERATIONS

Introduction

Adverse babyhood experiences (ABEs) are a new construct derived from large bodies of research that identify a different group of risk factors from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). ABEs influence infant and maternal morbidity and mortality as well as risk for chronic illnesses and other chronic conditions in the child as well as symptoms in fathers and other partners.

May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month.

May 10, 2021 by Joy Burkhard in EMERGING CONSIDERATIONS

Here are 9 ideas for how YOU can build momentum to improve #MaternalMentalHealth:

Join us May 20 for a Maternal Mental Health Day of Action to call/email your members of Congress to support the #MomsMatterAct
Are you a mom or family member with lived experience with maternal mental health (MMH) disorders? If so, share your story in TheBlueDotProject story bank.

A Significant Solution for Maternal Mental Health: Certified Peer Specialists

May 04, 2021 by Joy Burkhard in Innovative Solutions, POLICY

Peer support provided by trained peer support specialists is a proven model for addressing mental health conditions. In 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) identified peer support services for mental health to be an evidence-based practice. CMS deems the use of certified peer specialists reimbursable for states that choose to incorporate these services into their Medicaid plans. When a peer is trained/certified by state-sanctioned training/certification programs their time may be billable to Medicaid.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Black Maternal Health Week

April 12, 2021 by 2020 Mom

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) marked the start of Black Maternal Health Week by announcing actions to expand access to continuous health care coverage and access to preventative care in rural areas to improve maternal health outcomes.

Here are Descriptions of the Full 3-Day Program Lineup!

March 22, 2021 by 2020 Mom

Emerging Considerations in Maternal Mental Health
The 2021 Reset:
Redesigning Policy and Systems So All Mothers Can Thrive
Wednesday-Friday, March 24-26, 2021

Registration doesn’t close until Friday, after the last session.
For just $55, get a front seat ticket to any/all of the sessions that pique your interest.