BILL NUMBER:  S4000

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the public health law, in relation
to maternal depression treatment

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

To create a statewide database of providers and community resources
who treat maternal depression and ensure adequate investment in
treatment resources for maternal depression.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Section one of this bill requires the Commissioner of Health, in
collaboration with the Commissioner of Mental Health to create a
statewide list of mental health professionals, other licensed
providers, peer support, not-for-profit corporations and community
resources that offer treatment and support for maternal depression.
The list must be searchable by zipcode and be updated as necessary.
In addition, the Commissioner must ensure that there is adequate
investment in treatment resources of maternal depression including a
statewide hotline, peer support, adequate referral networks and
telehealth services.

Section two of this bill provides the effective date.

              

 JUSTIFICATION :

Maternal or perinatal, depression is broadly defined as a wide range
of emotional and psychological reactions a woman may experience during
pregnancy or after childbirth. It is one of the most common medical
complications women may experience during and after pregnancy. These
complications may include, but are not limited to, feelings of despair
or extreme guilt, prolonged sadness, lack of energy, difficulty
concentrating, fatigue, extreme changes in appetite, and -- in severe
cases thoughts of suicide or of harming the baby. These reactions may
occur without warning and may happen before, during or immediately
after childbirth, and continue into the infant's first year of life.
Maternal depression may include prenatal depression, the "baby blues,"
postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis. Each year, between 10
and 20 percent of new mothers experience prenatal or postpartum
depression; 50-80 percent experience "baby blues"; and 0.1-0.2 percent
experience postpartum psychosis, a rare but severe condition that has
a 5% suicide rate and a 4% infanticide rate.

Maternal depression can lead to significant negative consequences for
those affected and their children and families. Mothers experiencing
maternal depression can have trouble caring for their new baby, be
unable to work or look for work. This depression can also negatively
impact the essential growth and development of families and young
children. Fortunately, treatment or maternal depression is successful
for 80-90% of patients and offers long-term health costs savings.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ("ACOG")
recommends prenatal screening for maternal depression, emphasizing the
importance of preparing providers to perform screens and make
referrals. The American Academy of Pediatrics ("AAP") recommends that
pediatricians screen mothers for postpartum depression at the 1 month,
2 month and 4 month well-baby visits. In January 2016, the United
States Preventive Services Task Force ("USPSTF") - an independent
national panel of experts tasked with making evidence-based
recommendations about screenings and other preventative health
services - recommended that all women be screened for maternal
depression during pregnancy and after giving birth.


As screening increases pursuant to the ACOG, USPSTF, and AAP
recommendations, healthcare providers must have the support they need
to conduct maternal depression screenings and refer women who screen
positive for maternal depression for treatment or further evaluation.
A centralized list of providers who treat maternal depression,
available community resources and peer support groups would help
providers conducting screenings to make appropriate referrals and get
more women access to treatment.

Additionally, the state must invest in maternal depression treatment
resources including strengthening and expanding a statewide hotline,
encouraging peer support, and improving the capacity of referral
networks. Treatment via telemedicine for maternal depression could
also help more women in underserved areas find the support and
treatment they need.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Minimal.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law; provided however, that
effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any
rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its
effective date is authorized to be made and completed by the
commissioner of health on or before such effective date.