[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 20 Engrossed in House (EH)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 20
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To provide for research on, and services for individuals with,
postpartum depression and psychosis.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Melanie Blocker Stokes Mom's
Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for
Postpartum Depression Act'' or the ``Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS
Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act--
(1) the term ``postpartum condition'' means postpartum
depression or postpartum psychosis; and
(2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health
and Human Services.
TITLE I--RESEARCH ON POSTPARTUM CONDITIONS
SEC. 101. EXPANSION AND INTENSIFICATION OF ACTIVITIES.
(a) Continuation of Activities.--The Secretary is encouraged to
continue activities on postpartum conditions.
(b) Programs for Postpartum Conditions.--In carrying out subsection
(a), the Secretary is encouraged to continue research to expand the
understanding of the causes of, and treatments for, postpartum
conditions. Activities under such subsection shall include conducting
and supporting the following:
(1) Basic research concerning the etiology and causes of
the conditions.
(2) Epidemiological studies to address the frequency and
natural history of the conditions and the differences among
racial and ethnic groups with respect to the conditions.
(3) The development of improved screening and diagnostic
techniques.
(4) Clinical research for the development and evaluation of
new treatments.
(5) Information and education programs for health care
professionals and the public, which may include a coordinated
national campaign to increase the awareness and knowledge of
postpartum conditions. Activities under such a national
campaign may--
(A) include public service announcements through
television, radio, and other means; and
(B) focus on--
(i) raising awareness about screening;
(ii) educating new mothers and their
families about postpartum conditions to promote
earlier diagnosis and treatment; and
(iii) ensuring that such education includes
complete information concerning postpartum
conditions, including its symptoms, methods of
coping with the illness, and treatment
resources.
SEC. 102. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF RELATIVE
MENTAL HEALTH CONSEQUENCES FOR WOMEN OF RESOLVING A
PREGNANCY.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Director of the National Institute of Mental Health may conduct a
nationally representative longitudinal study (during the period of
fiscal years 2009 through 2018) of the relative mental health
consequences for women of resolving a pregnancy (intended and
unintended) in various ways, including carrying the pregnancy to term
and parenting the child, carrying the pregnancy to term and placing the
child for adoption, miscarriage, and having an abortion. This study may
assess the incidence, timing, magnitude, and duration of the immediate
and long-term mental health consequences (positive or negative) of
these pregnancy outcomes.
(b) Report.--Beginning not later than 3 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter for the duration of
the study, such Director may prepare and submit to the Congress reports
on the findings of the study.
TITLE II--DELIVERY OF SERVICES REGARDING POSTPARTUM CONDITIONS
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM.
Subpart I of part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 254b et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 330G the
following:
``SEC. 330G-1. SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH A POSTPARTUM CONDITION AND
THEIR FAMILIES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants to eligible
entities for projects for the establishment, operation, and
coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery
of essential services to individuals with a postpartum condition and
their families.
``(b) Certain Activities.--To the extent practicable and
appropriate, the Secretary shall ensure that projects funded under
subsection (a) provide education and services with respect to the
diagnosis and management of postpartum conditions. The Secretary may
allow such projects to include the following:
``(1) Delivering or enhancing outpatient and home-based
health and support services, including case management and
comprehensive treatment services for individuals with or at
risk for postpartum conditions, and delivering or enhancing
support services for their families.
``(2) Delivering or enhancing inpatient care management
services that ensure the well-being of the mother and family
and the future development of the infant.
``(3) Improving the quality, availability, and organization
of health care and support services (including transportation
services, attendant care, homemaker services, day or respite
care, and providing counseling on financial assistance and
insurance) for individuals with a postpartum condition and
support services for their families.
``(4) Providing education to new mothers and, as
appropriate, their families about postpartum conditions to
promote earlier diagnosis and treatment. Such education may
include--
``(A) providing complete information on postpartum
conditions, symptoms, methods of coping with the
illness, and treatment resources; and
``(B) in the case of a grantee that is a State,
hospital, or birthing facility--
``(i) providing education to new mothers
and fathers, and other family members as
appropriate, concerning postpartum conditions
before new mothers leave the health facility;
and
``(ii) ensuring that training programs
regarding such education are carried out at the
health facility.
``(c) Integration With Other Programs.--To the extent practicable
and appropriate, the Secretary may integrate the grant program under
this section with other grant programs carried out by the Secretary,
including the program under section 330.
``(d) Certain Requirements.--A grant may be made under this section
only if the applicant involved makes the following agreements:
``(1) Not more than 5 percent of the grant will be used for
administration, accounting, reporting, and program oversight
functions.
``(2) The grant will be used to supplement and not supplant
funds from other sources related to the treatment of postpartum
conditions.
``(3) The applicant will abide by any limitations deemed
appropriate by the Secretary on any charges to individuals
receiving services pursuant to the grant. As deemed appropriate
by the Secretary, such limitations on charges may vary based on
the financial circumstances of the individual receiving
services.
``(4) The grant will not be expended to make payment for
services authorized under subsection (a) to the extent that
payment has been made, or can reasonably be expected to be
made, with respect to such services--
``(A) under any State compensation program, under
an insurance policy, or under any Federal or State
health benefits program; or
``(B) by an entity that provides health services on
a prepaid basis.
``(5) The applicant will, at each site at which the
applicant provides services funded under subsection (a), post a
conspicuous notice informing individuals who receive the
services of any Federal policies that apply to the applicant
with respect to the imposition of charges on such individuals.
``(6) For each grant period, the applicant will submit to
the Secretary a report that describes how grant funds were used
during such period.
``(e) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide technical
assistance to entities seeking a grant under this section in order to
assist such entities in complying with the requirements of this
section.
``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `eligible entity' means a public or
nonprofit private entity, which may include a State or local
government; a public or nonprofit private recipient of a grant
under section 330H (relating to the Healthy Start Initiative),
public-private partnership, hospital, community-based
organization, hospice, ambulatory care facility, community
health center, migrant health center, public housing primary
care center, or homeless health center; or any other
appropriate public or nonprofit private entity.
``(2) The term `postpartum condition' means postpartum
depression or postpartum psychosis.''.
TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
To carry out this Act and the amendment made by section 201, there
are authorized to be appropriated, in addition to such other sums as
may be available for such purpose--
(1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(2) such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2011 and
2012.
SEC. 302. REPORT BY THE SECRETARY.
(a) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study on the benefits of
screening for postpartum conditions.
(b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall complete the study required by
subsection (a) and submit a report to the Congress on the results of
such study.
SEC. 303. LIMITATION.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or the amendment
made by section 201, the Secretary may not utilize amounts made
available under this Act or such amendment to carry out activities or
programs that are duplicative of activities or programs that are
already being carried out through the Department of Health and Human
Services.
Passed the House of Representatives March 30, 2009.
Attest:
Clerk.
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 20
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To provide for research on, and services for individuals with,
postpartum depression and psychosis.