[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6152681,"mediaKeyId","5497336-9746ecbd15749b425fc7dbac6474a705","parentId",5497336,"title","Lawmakers Hear Broad Support for Perinatal Behavioral Health Workforce Trust Fund","audioSeconds",3736,"startMs",1303000,"endMs",5039000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5497336-9746ecbd15749b425fc7dbac6474a705&start=1303&end=5039","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5497336-9746ecbd15749b425fc7dbac6474a705/thumbnail_1303000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6152681/Massachusetts/Lawmakers-Hear-Broad-Support-for-Perinatal-Behavioral-Health-Workforce-Trust-Fund","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152681-cdfe794b230cc44a6e4cb02c9b46d1bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773570386&Signature=Tr4vVARRxjwZH8h8Dy0TmrFG~x3JAQA~UAuWPPwY1df7ewtWxAJg8O~0u1Spf1GXpLwaWO3AH6lblxEyaD~t1BzIp4ZUtp7z~C-JR3g6BrSGnNE3EXBcBXrHg9fBYCnflH93WdlmUZoE3JAEOOTicq~PZrZFgzOXN~qkx3Jui-ukIDQD7IqNYObjyBuLOf74y~NYfu77dYZzffBBouY5ykCik8YUmsJLtkBGBF8AJEW3oARTRo-krEAR7G75wzxGWOktIuy-x-dJ2y8bIuuUEOvEguLqko2iE8Z3n7LSlBGB3~FmfRxVJXA4hL3lm17pkYTHf5aBoi8XDDH2KvM2BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Massachusetts Legislature","date","2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","article","Boston — Lawmakers heard more than a dozen advocates, clinicians and parents on Wednesday urging a favorable report on H2208 and S1411, legislation to create a perinatal behavioral health workforce trust fund to grow and diversify providers who treat perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

The bill would create a grant-funded trust to support training, certification and pipeline programs for clinicians and perinatal-focused peer providers, proponents said.

Why it matters: Witnesses said the Commonwealth now requires more screening for postpartum depression and related conditions, but the behavioral health workforce has not expanded to meet the demand. As a result, parents face long waits or must pay out of pocket for specialized care.

Chloe Schwartz, Director of Maternal and Infant Health for March of Dimes Massachusetts, said the trust would “grow and diversify the perinatal, mental, and behavioral healthcare workforce so that there are more providers available to meet this critical unmet need.” She cited CDC findings that mental health conditions are a leading cause of maternal death and that 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder.

Multiple speakers described long waits and access barriers. Jessie Colbert of the Mass PPD Fund said comprehensive screening passed in the 2024 omnibus maternal health law is identifying more cases without a commensurate increase in providers. Claire Eisenberg of the Chamber of Mothers said it took six weeks to get medication after she was diagnosed, and that for many that delay feels “like a lifetime.”

Clinicians described specific workforce gaps. Dr. Rose Molina, an obstetrician‑gynecologist affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, said her Spanish‑speaking patients often lack access to clinicians who speak their language and that wait lists force months‑long delays for therapy and medication. Melissa Sherman, a board‑certified OB‑GYN and addiction specialist, said her clinic gets requests for fast‑track mental health access but faces 6–12 month waits for specialized care under MassHealth.

Advocates asked the committee to prioritize culturally competent providers and peers with lived experience. Marley Willer, advocacy chair for the Boston chapter of the Chamber of Mothers, said many perinatal conditions present primarily as anxiety — not depression — and can be missed by standard screens. Several speakers urged funding for training such as the PMH‑C (perinatal mental health certification) and for career pathways that keep peers and recovery coaches within health systems.

Committee logistics and next steps: Committee chairs reminded witnesses that the hearing record remains open for written testimony and that members may follow up with questions. No formal committee votes were taken during the hearing.

Supporters asked the committee to report H2208/S1411 favorably and to ensure any implementation includes funding that prioritizes access for underserved communities and workforce diversity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery - 7-28-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Boston — Lawmakers heard more than a dozen advocates, clinicians and parents on Wednesday urging a favorable report on H2208 and S1411, legislation to create a perinatal behavioral health workforce trust fund to grow and diversify providers who treat perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MA, Massachusetts","taxId",77682,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6152667,"Jewish Community Relations Council, advocates back mental‑health capacity grants for communities at risk of hate crimes",2341,1090000,3431000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5497336-9746ecbd15749b425fc7dbac6474a705&start=1090&end=3431","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5497336-9746ecbd15749b425fc7dbac6474a705/thumbnail_1090000.jpg","/articles/6152667/Massachusetts/Jewish-Community-Relations-Council-advocates-back-mentalhealth-capacity-grants-for-communities-at-risk-of-hate-crimes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152667-d5cf66f4fb4c94e5aa5bead28cdafca1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773570386&Signature=nfW7j6h0zZSVpZbg0u49LJ4w6iJp2JhLkp9GOSvTMW1z~aIbjEAHbJkqnpwkmeYRCSlr~rH-hWF4cvogAIzkUrCBPQvxWLsdqV9VI4BvRKa-VAJioBCeCxbLIBZ2~P7wKBcP8E-Q1JeZcrLc3ftC2uzcuxNQDas~q-3oqknNfgOK5OG8jTDkqlcgni4wcHJv1Ua0xWwiR~8U2HL1YBXP-B9q6GDUuUJsFLJK~fgF2gNQWlSQvkHqcwxzu5INCoTrqqj-ZKOcXZL6dQTnLn34le4sLfPvRQjeJ~X76xS6QqA2qwp4qmYWPFmMSAnB3wrfNWZi3qL4As-AR69WIPHvTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston — Leaders of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston and community advocates testified in support of H2207/S13888, legislation that would create mental health capacity grants for community organizations at high risk of hate crimes or that serve populations vulnerable to targeted violence.

Faye Ruth Fisher, chief of public affairs for the Jewish Community Relations Council, said the bill — which the witness said had been recommended by the Governor’s hate crimes task force in 2022 and reported favorably by the committee last session — would fund “mental health capacity grants for organizations that are either at high risk of hate crimes or that work with populations at high risk.”

Fisher described the proposal as an upstream, harm‑reduction model that would allow organizations to expand culturally appropriate supports, prevention programming and resiliency work rather than only funding physical security or incident response.

Representative Carrie (Rep. Carrid in the transcript) noted the emotional and societal ripple effects of hate crimes and urged the committee to report the bill favorably.

No formal committee action occurred during the hearing; chairs invited written testimony to the record.","The Jewish Community Relations Council and other advocates urged the committee to support H2207/S13888, a bill to establish capacity grants for organizations that are high risk of hate crimes or serve populations targeted by hate, framing the investment as an upstream harm‑reduction approach to community resilience and mental health.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6152672,"Counselors’ Association Urges Administrative Fix to Unblock Hires in State Agencies",232,5277000,5509000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5497336-9746ecbd15749b425fc7dbac6474a705&start=5277&end=5509","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5497336-9746ecbd15749b425fc7dbac6474a705/thumbnail_5277000.jpg","/articles/6152672/Massachusetts/Counselors-Association-Urges-Administrative-Fix-to-Unblock-Hires-in-State-Agencies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152672-fd220e76e9fa990861a85d4fc36cba54/orig.mp4?Expires=1773570386&Signature=nKA6QaqZ~D~m8xx3W0b3ahj4aN-vfPQREM5g1V0YYm2-NvgWCPS0CUVlUscWcmVsrH4Wk8qW1H0p-lmJhnsYLB38qsFQveTAcMjw849IrqzcmVBbOXRvzprgjXWoMNjz6VFE1GPNVjLhOVMZVz435KuLY9JmXRlVaS00Z4RRdBKOpCjVIv~vvxMB7IIeNGhWRbBqrRplpt6iYv89AQicdtgNl2pTA6C9i~LwIcdTDRYhd3iUYfePWxrjf8K7~sC5zCnlHzp5gMkHk~aOGM39yUGWmj7faTFzVzlOdze88WI9IRyX4MVZ2ANhQBBjjUZlZBVVs49ZRPMY-cNZxToTMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston — The Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association asked the committee Wednesday to correct administrative job descriptions so licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) and licensed supervised mental health counselors (LSMHCs) can be hired into state behavioral health positions.

Joe Weeks, executive director of the association, told the panel H2218 and S1380 would “unlock a highly trained and underutilized segment of the mental health workforce” by updating job classifications used across state agencies. He said the change is largely administrative and fiscally prudent because the clinicians are already licensed and prepared to provide therapy, crisis intervention and care coordination.

Weeks added that LMHCs are often bilingual and more likely to practice in underserved areas, and that the update would expand hiring pipelines for departments that serve children in foster care, youth in the juvenile system and families in crisis.

John Serpa and other association leaders joined the testimony to note Massachusetts already licenses these clinicians; the proposed bills change hiring specifications so agencies can recruit and bill for their services. The group asked the committee to report the bills favorably and to implement the change by the stated target date in the bill text.

No vote occurred at the hearing; chairs encouraged written follow‑up for any technical or fiscal questions.","The Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association asked the Joint Committee to update EOHHS job classifications to explicitly include licensed mental health counselors, arguing the change would quickly increase billable clinical capacity without new training costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6152677,"Physicians, lawmakers push to expand loan‑repayment eligibility to shore up primary care",5215,420000,5635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5497336-9746ecbd15749b425fc7dbac6474a705&start=420&end=5635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5497336-9746ecbd15749b425fc7dbac6474a705/thumbnail_420000.jpg","/articles/6152677/Massachusetts/Physicians-lawmakers-push-to-expand-loanrepayment-eligibility-to-shore-up-primary-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152677-814277ddbe10c3760cf5e70bf83bc166/orig.mp4?Expires=1773570386&Signature=B4t0RajTqBdZH5n1OYd6eafX2WfR4lcH-93vXFrfLbiO4MJAon~MywWiZJYMgMHqXsXFIG5HxNNxi2w~L~UfKdNQShvxT9HhdwkzTQh21luFD8HTQp-afMihiTn3-7IRL92eGQ86CiZ61TeEediIWuyaZeGKc3x0mXOJQGTt65sFoe8hlQvAvVTp1H3n0i-cGxm3yryfOdNKs2jtEDR56fuwAvRHSy6wjqZJIrfhV7N8PwjOVHw2E-XXSwgyao5-j3wWDaNicqIxnV8Yd17dOK6lZL4orQhtR0vz-xVPf4fU1HFc4E4Oq2l1JN2Kinp2ig5DuazQX-sbPvGDV7DqvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston — Representatives of the Massachusetts Medical Society and lawmakers told the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery that expanding state loan‑repayment eligibility could help address a worsening primary care shortage.

Jeff Perkins, legislative and regulatory affairs counsel for the Massachusetts Medical Society, told the committee the bills H2205 and S1385 would “expand the existing MA Repay Loan Program” so primary care physicians in a broader set of practice settings could qualify.

Perkins said Massachusetts has the most physicians per capita in the U.S. but “the fifth fewest number of primary care physicians actually providing patient care,” and that many practicing physicians are older: “over half of our physicians in an office setting are 55 and older.” He added that a 2023 survey found 41 percent of Massachusetts residents reported difficulty accessing care, with the chief barrier being the inability to get an appointment.

Senator Comerford, who co‑filed the legislation, said expanding the program’s eligibility beyond community health centers could put clinicians in more communities and that any expansion must be paired with funding so it does not reduce support for federally qualified community health centers.

Dr. Kate Atkinson, a family physician in Amherst, described recruitment difficulties in Western Massachusetts and said her practice has about 8,000 patients and 800 people on a waiting list. She said trainees frequently change career plans after reviewing debt burdens: “They go into a high paying field,” she said, “and this happens again and again and again.”

Committee chairs and witnesses emphasized the bills would not be a full solution but seen as an important state role to make primary care financially viable and to complement other workforce strategies.

No formal committee votes occurred during the hearing; chairs reminded attendees to submit written testimony for the record.","The Massachusetts Medical Society and lawmakers urged the Joint Committee to expand the MassRepay loan‑repayment program (H2205/S1385) to recruit and retain primary care physicians, citing an aging workforce, long appointment waits, and community access gaps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers Hear Broad Support for Perinatal Behavioral Health Workforce Trust Fund

Jewish Community Relations Council, advocates back mental‑health capacity grants for communities at risk of hate crimes

Counselors’ Association Urges Administrative Fix to Unblock Hires in State Agencies

Physicians, lawmakers push to expand loan‑repayment eligibility to shore up primary care