The bill’s main sponsor, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D.-Philadelphia), said she was inspired to tackle the issue after reporting on postpartum depression and anxiety as a WHYY reporter in 2016.
The bill’s main sponsor, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler , said she was inspired to tackle the issue after reporting on postpartum depression and anxiety as a WHYY reporter in 2016.
“The first year of being a parent is still really clear in my mind. It’s joyful and wonderful and it’s also really hard, and a lot of people struggle,” said Fiedler, whose children are now 10 and 7. “Ever since I came into the legislature six years ago, I really wanted to do something on this issue.”
In addition to the public awareness campaign, Fielder’s bill will task health officials with creating an online list of mental health providers and other resources to address postpartum anxiety and depression. The department will also create a fact sheet with common symptoms that doctors around the state will be encouraged to give to new parents.
Some mothers might also never get the care they need, Fiedler noted, because stigma and shame prevents them from discussing their struggles after giving birth.The Momnibus includes a bill to require private insurers to cover blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum patients to prevent potentially fatal high blood pressure, or preeclampsia. Another would require the state’s medical providers to complete implicit bias training as part of their continuing education.
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